The annual spectrum charges payable by Tamil Nadu now amount to Rs 13 crores.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Friday urged the union government to revisit the issue of levying spectrum charges on the police radio network, which according to her is an ill advised move on the part of the previous UPA government. She wants state police departments to be exempted from paying for spectrum use like Rs 140 crore that the Tamil Nadu police will have to pay now.
The government of Tamil Nadu has been raising the issue of enhanced spectrum charges being levied on the police department by the central government since 2005.
Despite such requests for waivers and before the issue of the dues of state police departments, including Rs 73.10 crores which was outstanding as spectrum charges and late fees from Tamil Nadu, could be resolved, the spectrum charges were revised again and increased almost threefold with effect from 1.4.2012.
The annual spectrum charges payable by Tamil Nadu now amount to Rs 13 crores. The wireless planning and coordination wing of the ministry of communications and information technology continues to charge 2 percent per month as late fees for delayed remittance of spectrum charges. The directorate of coordination, police wireless, ministry of home Affairs, New Delhi, has further indicated that the request for any fresh assignments or issue of operating licenses, including import licenses for wireless and communication equipment. will not be considered till the full payment of charges is made.
The state home secretary has yet again taken up the issue of waiver of spectrum charges with the union home ministry. Any financial burden on the use of modern technology in policing is difficult for state governments to meet. Such heavy charges will prevent the department from investing in essential infrastructure upgrading and modernisation, the letter added.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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