Ad agencies move HC against ban on hoardings

The high court has sought the BBMP's response to a petition filed by advertising agencies against the year-long ban on advertisement hoardings.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Popular Advertisers and other agencies that have sought the quashing of a notification issued by BBMP on August 6, 2018.

The agencies argued that they pay taxes and have put up hoardings on iron structures based on the BBMP's permission. The August 6 resolution passed by the BBMP council is against statutory provisions and virtually takes away their bread and butter, they said.

They further stated that the BBMP is considering forcibly removing the advertisement hoardings, including iron-like lining structures and iron structures that were put up as suitable for erection and display of advertisement hoardings in compliance with advertisement bylaws. They contended that if the structures are removed, they will be put to great hardship.

The court will hear the matter again on September 14.