Bengaluru: The Uplokayukta Subhash B. Adi, who is conducting an enquiry on unauthorized hoardings, has set a deadline of February 16 for BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayan and Mayor N. Shantha Kumar to respond on the issue.

In the report submitted on Monday, Mr. Adi has asked political parties, leaders and organisations to send in their views on the issue to the Lokayukta.

Mr. Adi has noted that the penalty should act as deterrent to violators and should also include the abettor. The advertisement section and other connected departments should be computerized and every application should be made online. Even permission for hoardings should be given on competitive rates, i.e. by e-auction to the highest bidder. “With least manual interference, the BBMP can earn more than Rs. 800 crore without affecting the city’s aesthetics,” he has noted.

Mr. Adi opined that if the elected representatives prevent their supporters from putting up banners, flexes and other advertisements, 50 per cent of the menace of illegal/unauthorized advertisements can be stopped.