BENGALURU: Amid heated arguments with shop owners, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities on Monday started removing non-Kannada display boards from shops and malls. They removed boards, issued show cause notices to shopkeepers and gave them seven days’ time to get Kannada boards.
Under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, it is mandatory to use Kannada as priority on display boards. After several pro-Kannada organisations raised the issue, Mayor Sampath Raj had directed officials to take up the drive to remove display boards without Kannada at shops, malls and other places. Traders have also been warned of losing their licence if the rule is not followed.
When BBMP health officials reached Forum Mall in Koramangala, shop owners and customers were caught unawares. Verbal duel followed for a while. A few shopkeepers told TNIE that the civic body officials initially told them that they were there only to spread awareness about the existing rules on usage of Kannada on display boards.
But later they started removing and tearing the non-Kannada boards, the shopkeepers alleged. “We were not informed about any such order, nor were we served with any notice,” said a manager of a cafeteria at the mall. “They entered our shop and started tearing off posters and boards. They tore five menu boards that were on display. We urged them to give a few days’ time, but they were adamant,” said Hamsai, a Nandini outlet owner.
Dr Manoranjan Hegde, Chief Health Officer (in-charge), said they will conduct a drive in every zone of the city. “To begin with, we started from Koramangala in South zone. Drives will be conducted at various commercial establishments soon,’’ he added. When some shopkeepers questioned the officials about the order, they said the order was posted online.