Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) today stopped Reliance Jio Infocom from setting up telecom towers across the district without prior approval from its Board, but the company said it was following the rules laid down by the state government and municipal corporation.
GNN Mayor Teluram Kambojh passed the order after a delegation of councillors, led by Mukesh Tyagi, today met him and took up the matter of Reliance Jio Infocom, which is setting up towers on municipal land in Ghaziabad.
According to GNN officials, around 114 towers, meant for 4G services, were being set up by the Reliance Jio Infocom on GNN's land - parks and other government lands.
"I have ordered to stop the work of setting up of towers of Reliance Jio Infocom as it was not complying with the rules laid down by GNN. Company started setting up of towers, which is for 4G services, in Ghaziabad without getting prior approval from the Board," GNN Mayor Teluram Kambojh told PTI.
Kambojh also said that GNN is yet to decide the rent and other tax issues for towers, which is being erected on municipal land across the district, but despite this, company had started the work of setting up of its towers
"We won't let company violate the rules as it has to go through proper channels. After election results, we would call GNN Board meeting in which rent and tax issues for towers would be taken up," he said.
On the other hand, company said that it was following all rules laid down by state government and the GNN.
"Reliance Jio is in compliance to all the government norms and follows all the rules of Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation," said an spokesperson of Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd.
Tyagi, who took up the matter with other councillors, however, said that company started the work of setting up 4G towers in different parts of Ghaziabad, despite knowing that GNN was yet to give permission.
"GNN's Board Meeting only can decide the rent and other taxes for towers, but the company is setting up its towers without getting prior approval from GNN, which is a clear violation of the rules," Tyagi also said.
