Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday permitted organisers of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon Procam International to continue its display of its advertisment and hoardings after organisers paid Rs 23 lakh to BMC. The civic body on Friday had directed the organizers to pay Rs 5.48 crores as advertisement fees, ground rent and security deposit. The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon will take place on Sunday, 15 January.
“The total amount to be paid by Procam International is Rs 5.48 crores as advertisement fees, ground rent and security deposit. But, the organizers met me today afternoon and paid Rs 23 lakh as initial amount. A hearing will take place between the organizers and Municipal Corporation on Monday where it will be decided about the pending amount to be paid” Assistant Commissioner of A Ward, Kiran Dighavkar told DNA.
“From last 13 years BMC, has been charging substantial rates to the Mumbai Marathon organizers considering a social cause event. However, this year it was decided to charge commercial rates for the advertisements, including hoardings, branding and a laser show”, Dighavkar added.
Civic chief Ajoy Mehta also said on Friday, “The event is a commercial one. Over the last 13 years, the BMC has given enough concessions and exemptions as the marathon was always promoted as a charity event. In 2017, however, we have decided not to provide any exemptions, but will charge organisers as we would organisers of other commercial events.” However, as per now the hurdle in front of the organisers of Mumbai Marathon is eased. The Marathon will start on Sunday early morning.
Source: dnaindia.com