Pic used for representation purpose
Mumbai : BMC pulled down 52,448 unauthorised banners, flex boards and posters across Mumbai between Jan 1 and Oct 16 this year, as part of a drive to prevent the city’s public spaces from being defaced. During a special drive conducted between Oct 8 and 16, the civic body seized 3,537 unauthorised advertising materials, including banners, boards, posters and flags. Four first information reports (FIRs) have been registered based on complaints filed by its licensing department, while written complaints in 333 other cases have been sent to various police stations for further action. Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde had announced a campaign titled ‘Shadu Bappa Ten Days – Flex-Free Mumbai 365 Days’ to prevent the city from being defaced. Those putting up unauthorised banners, posters and hoardings in public places can face action under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, which provides for imprisonment of up to three months or a fine, as applicable under the law.
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At a monthly review meeting of civic officers on Saturday, municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide said the campaign would require the participation of the licensing, maintenance and encroachment removal departments, along with other civic departments.