Bangalore :The deadline set by the BBMP for removal of illegal hoardings defacing the city ended on Aug 7. This was followed by a drive during which 4 cases were booked and many banners were removed. However, the CM’s birthday was celebrated on 12th August 2014 , and In anticipation of that grand event, sycophancy was at its peak in Bangalore, with flex banners put up by his supporters dotting the landscape of Bangalore.
The Commissioner’s diktat notwithstanding, the supporters of the the KPCC Chief G. Parameshwara, ‘spruced’ up the road leading to his residence in Sadashivanagar with banners wishing him for his birthday. The supporters of the CM, Siddaramaiah were not far behind. Even on Tuesday, fresh posters wishing Siddaramaiah on his birthday were erected all over the central business district and even impeded the movement of pedestrians.
The civic agency is empowered to stop this obnoxious practice that pervades the political establishment from the Corporator to the CM. They have legal backing in the form of the The Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981 and a HC verdict. However the civic authorities are too scared to act against the political class.
Supporters of every politician, regardless of party affiliation or who is in power, indulge in marring the beauty of the city. BBMP officials lament “In the past too, such drives were undertaken, but they were futile,” a BBMP official said. “The courts too have come down heavily on us, but we are helpless as nobody dares to take on the government.”
The issue certainly isn’t new. Six years ago, whilst the BJP government was in the saddle with Yeddurappa the chief minister, one of the banners near the BDA head office fell and injured several persons, prompting legal action. But the cases have fallen by the wayside.
The civic agency had then issued orders banning anyone from installing hoardings announcing birthday wishes in city. The orders were issued after then chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, assured the legislative council that no one will be allowed to erect flex banners with birthday wishes in the city.
In the six years since that incident, two judicial agencies have reminded BBMP of their duties. In 2012, the then chief justice, Vikramjeet Sen, had ordered BBMP and even police to take action against illegal hoardings and flex boards. Now, Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash Adi has ordered BBMP officials to act before August 20. But all of this appears to be of no avail as the banner continue to appear with regularity. Unless strict action is taken as per law, there will be no end to this menace.
