IANS

Winnipeg, Jan 2: A Canadian city has hit upon a novel idea to raise revenue. Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba province, is selling the naming rights of its services to people or corporates to raise funds for development projects.

Anyone can sponsor a service or a parking lot or a school and get it named after him. If someone sponsors repairs of potholes, he too can have his name immortalized in a plaque.

The authorities say everything from the city's library books to dog licences is up for sponsorship. The city has already put dozens of services up for sponsorship, and there have inquiries by those willing to immortalize themselves.

Mayor Sam Katz says cities need to find alternative sources of revenue and this is a good alternative to raising property taxes.

He says raising money through this novel route is just like naming a hospital wing after a donor.

"It is incumbent upon us to look at all credible ways to increase revenue to the city of Winnipeg,'' the mayor has been quoted as saying by the Canadian Press.

He says sponsorships of services will also give an opportunity to those who want to pay back to their cities and communities.

The mayor has not specified the sponsorship rates.

"It goes from little to lots. It all depends what it is you want to do and whatever your financial circumstances can commit you to. That's up to the public. We're not stating specific amounts,'' he has been quoted as saying.

With Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the annual gathering of the Indian diaspora, round the corner, why can't the hosts Delhi or the Indian government sell this idea to rich NRIs? Rather than selling equity, sell only the naming rights, said an NRI who is going to attend the PBD in New Delhi Jan 7-9.