JOIN USThe High Court on Wednesday directed BBMP commissioner G Kumar Naik to discuss with the BBMP administrator on chalking out a plan and a policy on handling unauthorised hoardings, flexes and posters put up around the City.
While questioning the BBMP commissioner who was present before the court, Justice A N Venugopala Gowda asked why the officers concerned should not be held responsible for not taking action against such illegal hoardings and posters.
The bench asked as to why the salaries of these officers could not be withheld till they discharge their work. The BBMP commissioner said that in Yelahanka zone alone, they had removed 19 unauthorised advertisements and that there was a continuous process to remove illegal advertisements.
Justice Gowda cited the obscene posters on display from Mekhri Circle to Windsor Manor Hotel and said that the road was used by those coming from the airport.
The bench wondered as to what impression people would get about the City looking at the posters. He said that the revenue earned from authorised advertisement could be huge if action was taken against unauthorised hoardings and posters.
The bench was hearing a criminal petition filed by the assistant general manager, Andhra Bank, who had sought quashing of a charge sheet filed against him by BBMP for displaying a poster outside the Jayanagar branch, stating that loan would be given on gold deposits. The bench directed the BBMP commissioner to come up with a plan and adjourned the hearing till August 27.