Though Mysuru managed to remain largely advertisement-hoarding free for the last two years, outdoor ads are set to make a comeback here.
The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), which stopped issuing fresh licences for advertisement hoardings or renewing existing licences since April 2015, has now come up with a new advertisement bylaw comprising a revised fee structure for outdoor ads.
The free structure proposed by the Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals came up before the MCC council meeting on Monday for approval.
However, members demanded a detailed discussion before the House gave its approval. While former Mayor Ayub Khan from the Congress and Ravindra from JD(S) were against giving the nod in a hurry, former Mayor R. Lingappa, of the JD(S) opposed allowing ad hoardings in the city.
Mr. Lingappa, during whose tenure as Mayor the MCC did away with hoardings, expressed apprehensions over the city losing its beauty if the hoardings were allowed. Mayor Ravi Kumar put off the decision and said a detailed discussion will be held during the next council meeting.
Two years ago, the MCC had not only stopped issuing and renewing outdoor advertisement licences, but also cracked down on illegal ads as the licensees were misusing the permission. A large number of ad hoardings were pulled down during the crackdown.
The alleged misuse of licences included displaying multiple advertisements, sometimes up to 10, after obtaining permission only for one hoarding. Some licensees would obtain permission for a billboard measuring 3ftX5ft, but would allegedly put up a billboard of 5ftX8ft.
While the MCC had refused to renew licenses in last two years, a few advertisers had moved court and managed to obtain stay, preventing the civic body from removing their hoardings.