Pokhara, December 23:

The Pokhara sub-metropolitan office has started removing all unauthorised hoardings from private and public spots within the sub-metropolis area.

Inspector at the sub-metropolitan office Basant Chalise said the work of pulling down hoardings in Bijaypur-14 has already started. The office is targeting all those hoardings that were put up without its go-ahead or the consent of respective house-owners.

The sub-metropolitan office will also tax those businessmen and trading houses that had put up hoardings without paying the requisite tax.

Chalise said more than a truckload of hoardings had been pulled down in Bijaypur, adding over 15 staff from the sub-metropolitan office are engaged in the task of pulling down all the unauthorised hoardings.

Earlier, the sub-metropolitan office had given a month’s notice to trading houses and businessmen, asking them to register their hoardings or be prepared for punitive action. It had also announced publicly that offenders would have to pay Rs 50 per square feet for hoardings in the sub-metropolitan area and Rs 15 per square feet for those in private places.

The sub-metropolitan office has also fixed Rs 50 as levy from vendors and hawkers setting up shop on pavements. Chalise said the work of removing the hoardings would be completed by the first week of January.

Those wanting to install new hoardings must take the consent of the sub-metropolitan office under Clause 143 of the Local Self-governance Act-2055 BS. Chalise said some businessmen had approached the sub-metropolitan office and paid the requisite fee for their hoardings.

He added that the office has collected Rs 2 lakh from such businessmen. The work of removing hoardings will start in Mahendrapul area from tomorrow, he said.

The sub-metropolitan office has fixed higher rates of taxes for hoardings advertising tobacco, cigarettes and liquor. It has also declared that social service organisations and yeoman’s service providing groups won’t have to pay tax for their hoardings.