Government plans law against illegal hoardings
Officials say such a law already exists but is not implemented ……..ANEESH PHADNIS
In the wake of the Dhule riots that were triggered by a provocative banner, the state government is planning to introduce a stringent law against illegal banners and hoardings.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has directed the law and judiciary department to prepare a draft of the new act after the issue came up for discussion at the state cabinet meeting on October 8, a senior government official stated. “The idea is to have some kind of restriction on the display of banners and hoardings,” he added.
The government may even make it mandatory to obtain police permission before putting up banners.
While the cabinet debated on the need for such strict action against illegal and provocative hoardings, questions are being raised on whether a new law is needed at all.
The Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act was enacted by the state government that gives authority to local bodies such as the municipal corporation to take action against illegal hoardings. “The government should be asking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) why no action is being taken against illegal banners,” an official remarked.
Defending the civic body’s stand, Bhaskar Gholap, superintendent of licences, BMC said, “We do remove illegal posters and banners under the BMC Act. We have a policy on the issue, which is approved by the civic general body.”
According to BMC guidelines, double decker hoardings are illegal