12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 11: The city government has failed to bring large size buses in the net of advertisement tax despite the existence of outdoor advertising bylaws.

Advertisements are being displayed at the large size buses plying in the city under different transport policies. The display of ads covering the whole outer body of the bus is also a violation of the colour scheme.

Large size bus operators are earning millions of rupees through advertisements on these buses every year, but, the government has yet to devise any policy to provide relief to commuters on account of fares, which are much higher than those charged by minibuses, coaches and other buses.

According to sources, charges of advertisement varies from company to company as Scania Bus Company is earning Rs0.5 million per bus annually on account of advertisement where as Karachi Green Bus is earning Rs150,000 to Rs200,000 per bus annually under this head.

Metro bus company is charging its clients Rs75,000 per bus annually for the display of advertisements. Following the footsteps, other operators of UTS have also started displaying advertisements on their buses.

When concerned departments in city government were contacted in this regard, they acknowledged that these operators pocket huge money by displaying advertisements.

An official of the transport and communication department said that the city government was working on a policy to bind bus operators to display advertisement on some specific portion of the bus, as covering the whole body gives a very ugly look.

"Operators will be directed to display ads only at the rear of vehicle or in the middle (but not above the door) so that original colour of the bus should not disappear totally under the new policy," he said.

When asked if there would be any reduction of fares in view of earning of large amounts on advertisement under the new policy, the official said that it was premature to comment on it as the policy was still being discussed.

The local taxes department official said that warning letters were being sent to these operators to comply with the rules and regulations of the outdoor advertising policy. "Operators have been directed to furnish information regarding advertisement device and moving publicity vehicles to the department concerned." -PPI