Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Telecommunication Tower MESS!

Date: 7th March 2021

To,                                                                                             
Shri Rakesh Singh, IAS
Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department
Bengaluru

To, 
Shri Manjunath Prasad, IAS
Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Bengaluru 

CC To, 
Shri Kamal Pant, IPS
Police Commissioner Bengaluru
Bengaluru 

              Sub: Government Order on Telecommunication Towers

Respected Sirs,                                           

Greeting! With reference to the above subject, I would like to bring to your notice that both Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers are rapidly Installing Towers without any Permission from BBMP or relevant competent Authority. Local BBMP Officials are silent over the concerns from Public, raising doubts on their motive and intent.
 
  1. According to Government Oder (GO) from Karnataka Urban Development Department (UDD), Ref # UDD 211 GEL 2014, Bengaluru, dated 29-05-2019 there are no permission given to the Telecommunication Towers in the residential area, and also there is a very clear frame work that the UDD has put in place for the approval process. 
  1. The Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers are claiming that they have got a Stay Order from Hon High Court on the 2019 GO and High Court in its wisdom has asked to follow the 2005 guidelines till the time the Government responds, but WP # 55030 of 2018 (LB-Res) by the Telecom Tower Service provider was dismissed by Hon High Court on 3rd July 2019 clearly stating that N3 GEL 149 2005 guidelines is vailed only for Telecom/Mobile Companies and not for the Tower Service providers and even that concession was withdrawn via circular NA AE 149 GEL 2014 dated 13-05-2014.  
  1. BBMP Act 2020 that was notified on 21st December 2020 clearly mentions and considers Telecommunication Towers as ‘Buildings’, which means like any other Building Telecommunication Towers also are subjected to an approval process and taxes also have to be paid.
It’s appalling that when the RWAs or Citizen Groups ask for BBMP Permission Copy from the Telecom/Mobile Companies and Telecom Tower Service providers they are subjected to threats, bullying and even Police complains, threats with legal action etc. Unfortunately, BBMP Officials locally are making all excuses to delay action on these companies when approached for stoppage of work or for appropriate action. 

Considering all the above points, in the larger interest of Citizens of Bengaluru I request clarity from both BBMP and UDD on the above issues and I look forward for a positive response from your end. 

Thanking you,
Warm Regards,

Kavitha Reddy
AICC Member & KPCC Spokesperson