Many shop owners objected to removal of advertisement hoardings without prior notice. However, joint commissioner (East zone) S N Nagaraj defended the Palike’s action stating that the Palike informed the public about the drive for many days through the media.

Owner of Mushroom restaurant who had put two advertisement boards without permission from the Palike entered into an heated argument with the joint commissioner. He argued that the Palike staff cannot remove hoardings without informing well in advance. He said he never knew that he should take permission to put advertisement boards. The JC replied saying it is the duty of everyone to be aware law of the land and ignorance of law cannot be an excuse. However, after arguing for 10 minutes, the owner agreed to pay the fee for advertisement for one year.

Another shopkeeper alleged that BBMP officials were entering business establishments just like sheep.

“This is uncalled for. They should issue notice before taking any action against us. We were never told that the Palike will remove hoardings if permission is not taken. All these years we did not take permission at all,” he said. Manager of another hotel who had put six signboards of different sizes without permission agreed to pay fee to the tune of Rs 50,000. The Palike staff collected cheques on the spot and issued receipts. Chief Engineer (East) Srinivas said that the Palike collected more than Rs 2 lakh as fee from shopkeepers during the drive on Wednesday. “We have also removed structures which obstruct movement of pedestrians on footpaths as per the directions of Karnataka High Court. The drive will continue in Koramangala division in the next week. Later, the drive will be continued in other areas as well.”

Mr Nagaraj, who led the drive, said “ All these years the Palike lost huge revenue because of unauthorised hoardings. Our target is to increase revenue by collecting fee for all hoardings. As per the advertisement hoarding by-law a commercial establishment is allowed to put up one advertisement hoarding free of cost. Those who put more than one board have to take permission from the Palike and pay the fee.”

More than 200 BBMP employees, one earth mover, 10 trucks and tractors were involved in the drive. As many as 10 truck loads of unauthorised advertisement material was removed during the drive.