Kochi : The state govt, in compliance with the high court’s directives, has issued a circular imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 for every board, banner, poster or flag bunting erected in public places, on roads or footpaths in violation of the rules.
The circular issued by the local self-govt department on Sept 9 further stipulates that local body secretaries will be personally responsible for removing unauthorised displays and recovering the fine. The court had repeatedly criticised the state govt since 2018 for its inaction in curbing the menace of illegally installed boards, banners, flags and festoons in public places. During a previous hearing in Aug 2026, the court also pointed out that although the collection of fines for each illegal board and banner could have generated crores of rupees, the amount collected was not even 1% of that, if not less. Noting that the joint directors of the department have a definitive role to play in implementing the circular, the bench directed the officers to be present online on Sept 29 for an effective interaction on the matter.
If they show laxity or report zero or nominal collection, the uncollected amount will be recovered from them personally. Police must provide protection during removal drives and register FIRs against those responsible, including political parties and organisations. The circular also directs the scientific disposal of removed boards and banners through Haritha Karma Sena or authorised agencies. It further directs the secretaries to submit data on the total number of displays removed, fines imposed, amounts collected, revenue recovery steps, FIRs registered and K-SMART complaints to the principal director of the local self-govt department. The court observed that this was virtually a culpable action on the part of the authorities, as they were denuding the state treasury of fines. The state was accordingly left with no option but to act in line with the court’s directive, resulting in the issuance of the present circular. the bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran welcomed the step taken by the local self-govt department While considering the circular during the last hearing.