It is that time of the year when Puducherry is awash with giant posters and cutouts. Despite a ban, volunteers and loyalists of former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy vied with one another to greet their leader on his birthday on August 4.
Senior party leaders, MLAs and supporters of Mr. Rangasamy put up hoardings by the dozen to greet him.
Party cadres have used imagination for innovative portrayals to flaunt their loyalty to Mr. Rangasamy.
However, smitten by the enthusiasm to appease Mr. Rangasamy, his loyalists and party supporters seem to have forgotten the order issued by the government against display of banners, cutouts and other forms of graffiti.
Violation of rules
Although the orders have been issued by the administration from time to time invoking the powers under Section 4 of the Puducherry Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 2000), the city’s landscape cluttered with banners remained an eyesore. The notification on putting up banners was observed more in the breach.
The Local Administration Department had notified 20 designated places each within the jurisdiction of Puducherry and Oulgaret municipalities for putting up banners.
The Local Administration Department decided to allow banners at designated places and protect the city’s aesthetics.
However, municipal officials said ambivalence in the decision had again led to the city’s landscape being marred by banners remaining an eyesore. The notification on erection of banners was observed more in the breach.
