MC yet to revise policy on hoardings

PANCHKULA: Despite the municipal council having decided to revise the advertisement policy last month, nothing has been done in this regard yet. Their promises of action against illegalities have fallen flat as a number of hoardings at different places are violative of norms. Authorities, on their part, say due to litigation, they are not in a position to take action against advertisers.However, they admitted the policy is yet to be revised.
The chief judicial magistrate (CJM) Panchkula on Saturday issued notice to district administration functionaries as well as municipal council (MC), asking them to file a response on the issue of illegal hoardings. Besides illegal hoardings, the court has issued notices on stray cattle, urchins and vendors at traffic light points. Sources said a meeting between municipal council and district administration officials had taken place on June 2.
They had therein decided to revise the advertising policy. After the meeting, they had sent notices to five-six advertisers for violation of rules under Municipal Act. Further, the advertisers moved the court and got stay orders. District administration had ordered removal of illegal hoardings, but to no avail. While on one hand, administration and MC cite lack of funds when people demanded better infrastructure in the city, on the other, they are delaying finalization of rates. With delay in fixing of rates and calling of fresh tenders for advertisements in 54 bus queue shelters and other prominent places in the city, people are displaying banners and hoardings in Panchkula without paying a penny to the administration and municipal council.
Moreover, MC authorities haven't taken any action against illegal hoardings. Panchkula municipal council president Ravinder Rawal said they are in the process of revising the advertisement policy. The new policy will have under its purview rates, size of hoardings and allotted place. "Within this month, we would finalize the new rates for advertisement tenders. These will include the new rates for every part of the city," he said. BB Singla, vice-president of MC Panchkula, alleged civic authorities were not keeping a check on violation of norms by contractors. "While hoardings might spell financial benefits for municipal council authorities, big hoardings are sheer nuisance for commuters," he added.