Led by Commissioner K.N. Vijayaprakash, officials of the Mangalore City Corporation on Friday removed unauthorised hoardings in Hampankatta, University College, and State Bank areas of the city.
Assistant Revenue Officer Praveenchandra told The Hindu that eight cutouts, 12 advertisements fixed on electric poles, and 10 flex banners had been removed. Placing hoardings in this area had been prohibited by the corporation around a year ago, he said.
Mr. Praveenchandra said the hoardings belonged to a few advertisers and that they would be penalised for violating provisions of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act 1981.
He said that notices would be issued to the parties involved.
He added that the corporation would continue its drive on Monday and remove unauthorised hoardings and banners on K.S. Rao Road and Urwa Stroes.
Mr. Vijayaprakash said that in reality, all hoardings were unauthorised as violations occurred at three levels. He said that some advertisers put hoardings in excess of the number actually permitted by the corporation. Some fail to remove the hoardings after their permit has expired, and others did not obtain permission at all, he said.
Although the penalty for putting up illegal hoardings was nominal, he would nevertheless impose it rigidly. “If they repeatedly violate rules, then criminal cases will be filed against them,” he said. At present, the fine was Rs. 300. This meagre amount was likely to be doubled after placing a proposal before the council, Mr. Vijayprakash added.
