No unauthorised banners during PM's visit: Upa Lokayukta to Palike

The Upa Lokayukta has directed the commissioner of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and other senior officials to ensure that unauthorised buntings and banners are not put up during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the City.

Modi is scheduled to attend the BJP national executive to be held in the City from April 2 ro 4.
“It is informed that the Prime Minister is visiting Bengaluru and there is a possibility of unauthorised hoardings, banners, flex etc. Prime Minister, who is a crusader of Swachh Bharath drive may not personally appreciate the same as it spoils the beauty of the City apart from the fact that it is illegal.

“Hence, the Commissioner BBMP, and Joint Commissioners shall ensure that no illegal or unauthorised hoardings, banners are allowed to be put up anywhere in Bengaluru,'' Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi has directed.

Justice Adi on Monday also directed the joint commissioner BBMP (East) to submit a report on sudden re-appearance of buntings and flex in city's ‘A’ zone - in and around Vidhana Soudha.

The buntings and flexes were put up by Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.

The joint commissioner appeared before the Upa Lokayukta in person and clarified that no permission was accorded to put up any hoardings anywhere in ‘A’ zone. The BBMP assistant commissioner (Advertisement) also appeared and confirmed that no permission was accorded.

“If there no permission was accorded, immediate action should have been taken by the assistant revenue officers of the BBMP in their respective jurisdictions. The AROs should have taken steps not only for removal of such unauthorised hoardings but also for initiating action against concerned persons responsible for putting up the hoardings.

“I am informed that the jurisdictional police take their own time to register the complaints filed by the BBMP officials. The Commissioner of Police should ensure that the police stations in the city take prompt action on the basis of the complaint filed by the BBMP.

There have been several instructions issued by our institution in respect of unauthorised hoardings and it is not necessary that every time there should be directions to enforce and maintain rule of law,” Justice Adi said.

The joint commissioner submitted that three FIRs have been registered against Manchegowda, the President of Karnataka State Employees’ Association, for putting up illegal hoardings in the prohibited zone (‘A’ zone).

He submitted that complaints will be filed against Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. Thee Upa Lokayukta has directed the BBMP commissioner and City Police Commissioner to submit their reply on April 1.