Citizens see red as political parties flout publicity rule

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

About a week ago, BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta instructed zonal chief engineers to remove illegal flexes, banners and buntings put up in the BBMP limits.

Already, politicians and their followers have cluttered the city skyline with banners and flexes at public places in the city, leaving the common man wondering if they do not come under the directed restrictions. News Trail has since learnt that none of the politicians bother to take permission from the BBMP authorities after paying the specified fee to advertise themselves through this medium of publicity.

That Town Hall, where the publicity material has been put up, is situated at a stone’s throw from the BBMP Head Office and Halasuru Gate Police Station has not deterred the party workers. The story the banners tell is that the party had organised felicitation of MLC BK Hariprasad.

A petition filed by an advocate on illegal flexes and banners in the city is pending in the High Court. “The honourable High Court has directed the police and BBMP authorities in this regard. No illegal banners and flexes should be displayed in the city. There is a provision to penalise those violating Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. The BBMP authorities can file a police complaint against those putting up banners and flexes illegally,’’ said advocate Mohan GR. According to Sai Datta, a social activist, Gaurav Gupta recently issued a circular to all zonal commissioners and chief engineers to remove all illegal banners, flexes and buntings. “It seems the circular issued by the BBMP chief commissioner has no value. I want the BBMP authorities not to stop at issuing circulars. I am of the opinion that the assistant revenue officer has to be suspended for being negligent to remove the flexes and banners,’’ said Sai Datta.

Based on a complaint by Sai Datta against unknown persons for putting up banners and flexes illegally on the occasion of felicitation of Congress leader BK Hariprasad, Halasuru Gate Police on Friday registered a case under sections of 3 and 4 of the Act.

Meanwhile, SJ Park Police Station has registered a case against unknown persons for putting up banners and flexes based on a complaint lodged by BBMP Assistant Revenue Officer Chandrakantha.

However, Venkatesh HM, a social activist, opined that the BBMP authorities should lodge complaints against all political parties for putting up banners and flexes without permission.