The Indian Express                        19.03.2013

PMC allows hoardings as per new policy and rate

With the Bombay High Court going harsh on illegal hoardings and banners in all cities and hoarding owners challenging the new policy and rates, the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to accept the proposal to allow hoardings as per policy and proposed new rates of Rs 222 per sq ft.

Hoarding owners met the civic body and discussed a way out from the situation in which they will be allowed to carry on the business. "There will no renewal of licence but fresh application has to be submitted for seeking permission for putting up hoardings. This will be as per the new policy and at the rate of Rs 222 per sq ft," a civic officer said.

Hoarding owners can apply for permission from April 1 and continue their business. The PMC had stopped renewal of licences for the existing hoardings from March 2010 to implement the new hoarding policy that is pending with the state.

The PMC had also started the process to issue tenders to appoint agencies for hoardings but found that it was likely to increase the revenue of the civic body by manifold. However, the hoarding association and its member had dragged the PMC to court challenging the policy and the tender process.