The dead do not seek condolence banners, says HC

'Palike action against hoardings just gimmickry'

The BBMP was at the receiving end of the High Court on Monday, over the menace of illegal flexboards and banners in the City, with the court observing that the dead do not demand banners offering condolences.

During the hearing of a petition by an advertisement firm challenging the BBMP’s action, rejecting its plea to renew the permission to display hoardings, the Palike submitted details of action taken by it to clear the City of flexboards and banners, following the High Court directions. BBMP submitted that cases have been booked against offenders and fine levied on them.

Justice Venugopala Gowda, who heard the matter, was not happy with the submission and said that the BBMP was indulging in gimmickry rather than discharging its duty.

“The concept of Swachh Bharat is turning ugly. You are just posing for photographs on October 2, not doing any work. The officers must at least once in a week or once in a month try and implement cleanliness programmes,” he said.

Mentioning about the banners all along the airport road, he said, “I have seen banners displayed all along the airport road. Those who die do not ask you to display banners. The officials’ quarters are full of ministers’ posters. Such banners do not make them heroes. Though it is said that illegal hoardings are removed, nobody knows where they are dumped after removing them,” he said. He noted that the court was not just thinking about Bangalore, but the whole State.

Mentioning about the banner menace during the visit of the prime minister, Justice Gowda said, “Despite his appeal not to put up posters and banners, they were displayed all over the City,” he said.

The matter was adjourned after Additional Advocate General (AAG) A S Ponanna sought more time, stating that a proposal has been sent to the government to constitute a committee to prepare draft rules on banners and hoardings.

Noting that the proposal will be placed before the chief minister and the urban development minister, the AAG sought six months’ time to prepare rules and ensure that they are passed by the legislature.