Illegal Hoarding/Banner Display Rules should be EQUAL Irrespective of Religion or Politics
Mangaluru: Even though the existence of Flex hoardings/banners is banned by Supreme Court, apart from them there has been constant display of such flex hoardings/banner still going on in the City, which is illegal, and no one from the district administration nor MCC is giving a damn about it. Just look at the Hampankatta Circle/Junction- it seems like an “Advertisement/Publicity Corner” for FREE- with a bunch of flex hoardings pertaining to Religious celebrations, political happenings, Yakshagana etc- the whole beauty of the City has been spoiled. Even though the Mayor and MCC Commissioner have promised to take action against those who put up these hoardings, but it seems like nothing is working right?
Once again, our Netas and MCC officials are following the motto “We Don’t Practice What We Preach”- I guess. Just look at all the hoardings/banners that are “beautifying” the City- and the pictures were taken only at certain locations in town- there could be more. Seems like no one is adhering to these rules, even the elected representatives of Mangaluru City Corporation have been defying the law. It looks like MCC officials, members of temple management committees, Yakshagana programmes, religious events in the central business district area, plus private businesses-Companies, Summer Camp ads, admission to schools, mobile companies etc are mocking the “smartness” of the city. This is not “Smart” for an upcoming “Smart City”-Mangaluru!
Seems like there is a hoarding/billboard/banner epidemic in Mangaluru! At every nook and corner of the city, you will see illegal hoardings or banners advertising about school admissions, opening of a showroom or shifting of a supermarket, concert or beach party announcements, conventions or public gathering announcements etc etc- and the funny part is that none of these have permission from the Mangaluru City Corporation to put them up. Then why is MCC not doing anything about this illegal practice, which is losing revenue due to these free advertising. And when MCC officials decide to go on a rampage to take down down the illegal advt materials, they leave alone the hoardings/banners of religious institutions/politicians. But why? Rules should be equal to everyone, irrespective of religion or politicians. Why are our officials showing standard in this regard?
And that’s the reason we see often huge cutouts/hoardings/banners- and that too of flex material adoring the vicinity of Hampankatta circle/ Clock Tower Junction and few other areas. Not just once in a while, MCC should keep the drive continuous against banned flexes. So what’s the use of these rules/laws if no one follows them, and in the same time, no action is taken by the concerned authorities when people defy these rules. Court orders, MCC advertising laws, strict directives and an exhaustive list of Dos and Don’ts notwithstanding, the menace of rickety and illegal hoardings continues to haunt Mangaloreans.
Adding to the concern is a load of unlawful advertising boards, hoardings, flexes and uni-poles that continue to exist, despite MCC’s rules and regulations on outdoor advertising. Probably MCC has no count of illegal hoardings in the city and is doing nothing to stop it. Apart from display of flex hoardings, MCC has not taken any action against businesses still using plastic bags for packing groceries or other items. As per court ruling, these hoardings are “hazardous to traffic”. But the problem with MCC is that they will get into action for one day and remove all the illegal hoardings, and thereafter for a month or two months they keep quite.
Why can’t MCC keep it that way, by not allowing anyone to display hoardings/banners, my implementing certain laws restricting the display of such hoardings/banners, or take severe action against the lawbreakers. The city looks so clean and beautiful without all these illegal publicity materials, so why can’t we keep our city that way all year long. Presently it seems like a drama- with citizens putting up all these illegal hoardings- and in few days MCC getting into action and removing them- and once again the cycle is repeated. Instead of that why can’t we put an end to this kind of drama right now. And MCC can do it because there is a law which prohibits exhibits of hoardings/banners in public places.
Like I mentioned in my earlier reports, I will say it again, that MCC needs to ban these illegal hoardings-areas are to be designated as “no-hoardings zones”. Strict action should be taken against those breaking the laws. All hoardings that compromise road safety are to be removed, especially those at Hampankatta Circle. MCC should launch a drive to remove all illegal billboards immediately, and also warn about fines if hoardings are erected illegally. MCC should remove hoardings from city junctions as they are hazardous to traffic. In any case hoardings/flex banners, whether legal or illegal, should not be allowed to deface natural beauty, the city’s skyline, or cause safety hazards. No-hoarding zones are the need of the hour!
As per section of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act 1981 states- ” Whoever by himself or through another person, affixes to, or erects, inscribes or exhibits on any place open to public view advertisement without the written permission of the local authority having jurisdiction over such area, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or both”. But how far has this law been strictly enforced by MCC- never. But at least now, MCC can start putting this law into force, and deal with all these people putting up such illegal publicity materials, including RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, POLITICIANS ?