In a strong message to political parties and other organisations which indulge in undue publicity campaign, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management Special Secretary and Puducherry District Collector D. Manikandan on Thursday said all wall posters, paintings, digital banners, cut-outs, and hoardings in public places should be removed by October 20 in the Union Territory.
Addressing reporters here, Mr. Manikandan said a consultation meeting was held with representatives of political parties, police, revenue and public works department officials as per the directions of Madras High Court to implement the provisions of the Pondicherry Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act strictly.
He said, all political parties unanimously agreed to the decision of authorities to clamp complete ban on wall writings, paintings, cut-outs, digital banners and hoardings. Advertisements of government and government run institutions are exempted from the rule.
“Advertisement on walls, wall posters, cut-outs and banners should be removed by the concerned persons by October 20. If they fail to adhere to that deadline, revenue authorities will remove such materials until October 31 and collect the cost from the concerned political parties or organisations. In case of people breaking law and putting up such materials after October 31, stringent criminal action will be initiated against them,” said Mr. Manikandan.
To a question on whether such action would be initiated against the ruling party functionaries, Mr. Manikandan said they also agreed to the decision of authorities to clamp ban on such advertisement materials.
He added that the drive against the advertisement materials would be conducted with assistance of revenue, municipality, public works and police departments.
Interpreting the provisions of Pondicherry Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, Mr. Manikandan said the violator would be punished with imprisonment of a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both.
Mr. Manikandan said the department would soon come out with an action plan to deal with complaints of land grabbing in order to render solution to those aggrieved in the Union Territory.
Admitting that several complaints of grabbing of lands are being received, he also said, “Soon, we will come with easy and expeditious solutions to the grievances of the land owners.” He also added that officials were instructed to sort out complaints which were received so far.
Mr. Manikandan said, “The complaints of the persons who already approached the courts can not be entertained. Revenue and police officials will conduct regular meeting with complainants every month,”
He also added that the department is in the process of digitalising land records.
