Maharashtra Govt Not seriously Following Orders on Illegal Hoardings and Banners: Bombay HC

Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Monday pulled up Maharashtra government and all civic bodies for not implementing "seriously" its orders on curbing illegal hoardings and banners.

A division bench of Chief Justice D K Uphyaya and Justice Amit Borkar said it was personal responsibility of highest officer of concerned authorities to enforce court orders.

HC has been calling for strict action against illegal banners and hoardings over years and h ordered all political parties to file an undertaking assuring that party workers won't put up any such hoardings.

bench last month directed civic bodies to conduct fresh special drives to remove illegal hoardings after announcement of election results, given likelihood of a surge in such banners post-elections.

court was hearing a bunch of petitions seeking contempt action against civic officials for failing to comply with a 2017 order that directed m to prevent defacement of state with illegal hoardings and banners.

On Monday, state's vocate Neha Bhide informed court that all civic bodies h conducted special drives.

Municipal councils took action against 7,729 illegal hoardings, collecting fines amounting to Rs 3,16,800 and filing three FIRs against offenders.

bench reiterated need for such special drives to be held even after election results to curb rise in illegal banners and hoardings.

Authorities need to be vigilant and ensure that attempts to erect illegal hoardings immediately after election results are swiftly checked, court said.

court also reminded political parties of ir undertakings, stating, "Almost all political parties have filed an undertaking not to erect illegal hoardings or banners. However, having regard to what is happening on ground, judicial note is taken of se illegal hoardings and banners being erected by se parties. Parties are reminded that any violation may have serious repercussions." court directed all civic bodies to provide detailed reports of actions taken against illegal hoardings to state government.

bench posted matter for furr hearing on December 9.

(Except for heline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)