Firms move HC to stop panchayats from charging for mobile towers

Service providers Vodafone Infratel,Bharti Infratel and Indus Tower have moved Bombay HC alleging gram panchayats in rural Maharashtra were collecting Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh and more as ‘development charge’ to grant NOCs for erecting mobile towers. The companies said in a petition this was not only seriously affecting business but also depriving people in villages of mobile services.

The petition alleged some members of gram panchayats were negotiating with companies and demanding cash to grant NOCs. It said it was becoming difficult for companies to pay cash without getting receipts.

The petition said the state rural development ministry had recently written letters to CEOs of all zilla parishads to take action against panchayats collecting such money. The letters mentioned the practice was not correct and should be stopped,it said,demanding immediate implementation of the government suggestion.