Illegal hoardings, posters deface city

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 20

A large number of illegal hoardings have come up on the main roads of the city, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the Municipal Corporation of Bathinda (MCB).

Most hoardings carry pictures of politicians wishing city residents on the occasions of New Year and Lohri. Besides, hoardings of religious functions have also come up in the city. Hoardings of Congress workers congratulating the new city president has also come up.

At some places, even the Bathinda Development Authority and the district administration have installed various illegal hoardings in the city.

Even the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued directions against illegal hoardings, ordering to remove them from GT road, highways and key roads inside the city.

A drive through the city reveals how the High Court orders are being defied openly. Huge hoardings and billboards have come up at roadsides at key points. However, in spite of the court orders, the situation remains the same.

As per rules, anyone wanting to install hoardings in the city should take the permission from the MC and pay fee as some designated points of installation of flex boards have been earmarked by the MC.

City residents alleged that it was high time that the authorities took strict action against the guilty.

The Municipal Corporation, on the other hand, has neither acted against these illegal hoardings nor bothered to implement the policy.

The defacement of public and private property across the city seems to have become a regular practice with political leaders. The Municipal Corporation and the district administration have turned a blind eye towards the menace.

Officials of the MC tehbazari wing said this would continue to happen. No one can stop this, but after the passing of the festival or occasion they always ask their workers to remove these hoardings.

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said, “I will direct the officials concerned to immediately remove illegal hoardings and posters across the city.”

On hoardings of political parties, he said, “It doesn’t matter whether the hoardings are of a political party or commercial establishment, law is equal for all. We will remove these hoardings as well.”