Setback for telcos: SC allows state govts to levy property tax on mobile towers

In a setback for the cellular operators, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that property tax can be levied on mobile towers by the state governments and their municipal bodies under the law. Setting aside an order of the Gujarat High Court, a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and PC Pant held that mobile towers are to be taxed as “land” and “building” under the state legislation, and that this cess will