The Times of India              18.10.2010

PCMC to invoke stringent Act against hoardings

 PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation ( PCMC) from Tuesday will apply the stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Properties Act 1995, against those who oppose the removal of unauthorised hoardings and advertisements in the municipal limits. Additional commissioner Prakash Kadam said, "The enforcement of the Act will be a deterrent for those who create a law and order situation while opposing the drive."

The decision comes in the wake of the incident that took place a few days ago, when local residents opposed the civic officials from Zone B, who had gone to Lal Topi Nagar slum in Morwadi area of Pimpri to remove some unauthorised hoardings, and the police had to intervene. "The Morwadi incident has prompted us to take this decision as the the provisions under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation( BPMC) Act 1949 are not strict enough."

"The civic officials, who undertake such drives against unauthorised hoardings and advertisements, have been delegated the powers to take action under section 3 of the 1995 Act, according to which, a fine, of up to Rs 2000, can be imposed. The Act also stipulates three months imprisonment, if convicted. The Act is mostly invoked against violators of the model code of conduct during elections", Kadam said.

According to Kadam, action will also be initiated under provisions against obstructing a government servant from performing his duties and section 6 of Hoardings and Advertisement Rules 2003. Kadam said the move will also encourage people to secure requisite permission before erecting hoardings and advertisements, thus increase the revenue of the PCMC's licence and signages department.