The Times of India 14.03.2013
Illegal hoardings to go in 24 hours: BMC
MUMBAI: The BMC has
assured that it will remove all illegal political hoardings and banners
which mar the city’s skyline within 24 hours, following the Bombay High
Court’s order on Wednesday.
“All political hoardings and
banners will be removed at any cost as there’s a high court order. We
regularly pull down hoardings with the help of the encroachment removal
squad and advertisement inspectors,” said Rajendra Bhosale, deputy municipal commissioner (special).
Several politicians enjoy free publicity through sky signs, posters,
banners, arches and hoardings which are used to announce party rallies,
greet leaders on their birthdays and festivals, and during elections.
Bhosale said an inspection report is first filed by a ward’s
advertising inspector and legal assistant. The offenders can be
prosecuted under Section 471 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act. The BMC then files an FIR and the matter goes to the city civil court. The court issues a warrant and the trial begins.
The civic body has blamed its inability to nab offenders saying they
put up banners at night. “Political banners usually come up at night.
The BMC cannot keep a vigil. Political volunteers and their workers put
them up, but political leaders should be held responsible. Every time a
top leader visits the city, they put up complimentary banners on
electric poles or anywhere else. Our licence inspector files a case but
cannot trace the person who has actually put up the banners,” said
Bhosale.
He added that legally it becomes difficult to prove if
an MLA or an MP is responsible; the BMC resorts to giving addresses of
the party office in court. Bhosale has now warned political workers
against putting up banners saying this is not the only way to show their
loyalty towards a party and its leaders. He told TOI banners are mostly
found in western suburbs as dignitaries visit the city via the airport.