BBMP to approach high court again over flex order

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has decided to approach the high court over its order on quashing the Palike's council meet’s decision on banning unauthorised flex and banners for a year.

“We will question the high court’s order, as we do not want to witness the flex menace again,” said N Manjunath Prasad, BBMP Commissioner.

Prasad said: “The court has quashed the BBMP Council's August 6, 2018, decision, wherein it was decided that any flex, banner, buntings, or handbills causing damage to the aesthetics of the city were banned for one year in the city.”

“It does not mean that this has made way to put up flex and banners or provide permission for them,” he added.

“We will not encourage giving permission to advertise on unauthorised flexes hereafter. In fact, we will remove them if we find people resorting to these methods,” explained Prasad.

“The BBMP has a new policy for advertising now, and even the state government has approved this. According to it, the usage of flexes is completely banned, and there is no scope for this activity in public places. We have even drafted a bylaw to curb the illegal flex business. We have sent the draft to the Urban Development Department and we are awaiting approval from them to finalise it,” he added.

“It is true that until the new bylaw is implemented, the old rules will apply. However, unless we give the permission, nobody is supposed to put up flex and banners. So, there is no need to be afraid of whether the city will be full of flexes again,” said Prasad.