You must have missed this ad BBMP put in newspapers 2 weeks ago. It is an aggressive sounding notice talking about unauthorized hoardings and signboards:
"As per the rules ... exhibitors of illegal advertisements ... banners ... are punishable. Action will be taken against ... by lodging FIR at ... police stations"
Aggressive, isn't it? I recall similar drives they undertook in past, last one being in middle of 2005. Does BBMP have the resources to track down each and every illegal exhibitor out there and file FIRs? I will say not. Do they have the will-power to track down political and 'spiritual' workers who violate this law - "Karnataka Open places (Prevention of disfigurement) 1981" - every other day? Probably not. And mind you, it isn't easy to follow up on these - what if I paste those ugly PG accommodation ads all around the town with your mobile phone number on them!?
May be they do reach out and catch some of these guys each time they start on such a drive? But what's the point if BBMP's actions (FIRs in this case) don't get enough publicity. You can't go and track them all, but the best you can do is to show some teeth. Catch a big guy, punish and make an example of that individual or organization.
Without an exemplified enforcement as a follow-up to show some real teeth and bite, these public notices are mere empty threats. Agree?
Comments
Hoardings - can BBMP do it?
aiding & abetting
Hoardings - can BBMP do it?
agree ...
Hoardings - can BBMP do it?
Interesting Hoarding Stories
letting the inspector raaj loose
Cash-strapped Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seems to be exploring various options to collect more revenue. Mayor B S Sathyanarayana, who has been conducting review meetings with various departments for the past three days, told reporters on Friday that plans were afoot to collect advertisement tax from companies that advertise in front of shops. - - - “Even if we charge Rs 500-1,000 per display, we will earn crores in revenue. There is no need for us to bring this to the Council for approval. The BBMP Advertisement Department is authorised to levy tax on these boards,” he said. The Mayor said tax inspectors have been directed to visit 25 defaulters’ properties each day and collect fines.
For the full report in the New Indian Express, click here.
This is just letting lose the inspector raaj, for some pittance by way of revenue. The Mayor would do well instead to press for professionalisation of property tax collection, which will get him and his city all the revenue that is required - check this.