BENGALURU: The state government may be keen on banning flex and banners, but posters with images of cabinet ministers and their names are springing up with wishes for festivals like Eid, Christmas and New Year and Sankranti.
As per BBMP guidelines based on the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, areas in and around Vidhana Soudha are considered to be in A-zone. According to the guidelines, permission for putting up flexes may be given in all except ‘A’ zone. However, as it festive time, posters and flexes are mushrooming everywhere.
At Police Thimmiah Circle near Capitol Hotel close to Vidhana Soudha, a couple of posters in the name of Information and Infrastructure Development Minister Roshan Baig and his son are seen. Baig, an MLA from Shivajinagar constituency, under which Vidhana Soudha falls, denied his role in the flexes coming up. “I do not have any clue about the flexes. It is a crime and I will tell the local authorities to get it removed,” he said. Chief Minister Siddaramiah, who is keen on making the city flex-free, is seen on a banner near Visvesvaraya Towers.
Mayor Manjunath Reddy put the blame on the public and followers of the leaders. “It is done, especially in the night. We can levy penalty of `500 to `5,000 for putting up banners and flexes illegally,” he said.
Yatish Kumar, BBMP Joint Commissioner, East Zone, said Vidhana Soudha and surrounding areas fall under A-zone, where posters or banners are strictly prohibited. “I will send our team to remove them,” he said.
A BBMP official, who did not wish to to be named, said that under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfiguration) Act, a case can be filed against people for putting up posters/flex at a place without permission. “Here, they cannot put flexes up as it falls under A-zone. BBMP officials can file an FIR, but who will bell the cat?” he asked.
What The Law Says
Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfiguration) Act says: “Whoever affixes, or erects, inscribes or exhibits on any place open to public view, any advertisement without the written permission of the local authority having jurisdiction over such area, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to six months or fine which may extend to `1,000, or with both.”