NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) will exempt telecom companies from property tax on mobile towers starting January 2025. However, these companies must settle their outstanding dues by December 2024. This decision aligns with the guidelines issued by the state government’s urban development department.
According to Section 14 (3) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, telecommunication networks on any property will not be classified as part of that property, exempting them from property tax or duties. The central government recently expressed concern about local authorities not implementing this Act.
In response, the state government’s urban development department sent a letter to municipal bodies in February, instructing them not to tax mobile towers. Following this, the NMC presented the proposal at a general body meeting, which was subsequently approved. The NMC’s property tax department reported a total of 596 mobile towers in Nashik, with an annual tax demand of ₹7 crore from these towers.
Nonetheless, some telecom companies in Nashik have pending property tax dues amounting to ₹52.69 crore. Ajit Nikat, deputy commissioner (taxation) for municipal corporations, stated, “We’ve exempted all mobile towers in the city from paying property tax starting January 2025. However, they are required to clear their dues by December 2024. We have directed divisional officers in all six divisions to ensure the collection of these dues.”
Another NMC official noted that while mobile towers have been exempt from property tax, the NMC will lease its spaces to telecom companies for tower installations. “This initiative will generate revenue for the NMC through property leases for mobile tower setups,” the official added.
