Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Feb 27: Former MLA Raghupati Bhat on Saturday February 27 decried the revision of business license fee and said that public opinion was a must before any revision.

Addressing a press meet here, he said, "According to the Karnataka Municipality Act 1964 schedule XIII, an advertisement should appear in the newspaper seeking public opinion before the fee is revised. This is followed by a waiting period of 30 days for any objection from the public. Thereafter, it is to be presented before the council session meeting. The Act clearly states that the fees collected by the municipality should not exceed Rs 500 per annum. At present, it has been increased by three times the previous amount.

"The fees fixed now is on a scale of Rs 3,000 - Rs 10,000 depending on the area of the commercial property. This fee is also collected from doctors, professors, libraries and museums. The Udupi council had been collecting Rs 125 for NOC (no objection certificate), but this has now been increased to Rs 2,000," he said.

He added that the municipality should take into consideration the opposition party members' views before implementing any decision.

Targeting Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, Bhat said, "The MLA issues a signed completion certificate only after the 'official bribe' in the form of money or land from the builder is received. The 'bribe' is then distributed among the poor."

"A discussion on revision of building license fees between the DC and the party members of BJP will be held and on Monday February 29 during the mega annual convention, the BJP members will stage a demonstration in front of the CMC office demanding revocation of the fee," he said.

Raghavendra Kini, president, Udupi BJP block, councillors Vasanti Shetty, Laila and others were present.