Illegal banners put up during the Dahi Handi festival in Pune
Pune: The civic body on Sept 5 and 6 removed as many as 822 unauthorised banners and posters installed across civic areas for recently held festivals, including Dahi Handi and Eid-e-Milad. The Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 1995, provides for punitive action against individuals or entities responsible for defacing public property and spaces, according to PMC officials. Anyone found guilty of defacement, including the unauthorised installation of cables, posters or banners, can face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to Rs 2,000, or both, according to PMC officials. Ranjeet Raj, owner of a cafe in Vimannagar, said a roughly 40-foot-wide billboard is erected at Ganapati Chowk on various occasions, blocking the visibility of his cafe and affecting sales despite his continuing to pay high rent.
However, according to civic data, no offence was registered against any mandal. The administration has acted only to remove them,” said Sandip Kadam, head of the PMC’s sky sign department. PMC officials said those responsible could face prosecution for criminal negligence. It will act as a deterrent; otherwise, fines will not create any impact on those who are defacing civic areas,” said Gauri Kulkarni, a Kothrud resident.
“Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has cross-verified the legality of these materials and has taken action accordingly. The provisions are also used to take legal action against the unauthorised installation of overhead cables, banners and posters. These unauthorised banners, apart from being a visual nuisance, can pose safety risks. Broken or improperly installed banners and hoardings can cause accidents, injuries and even fatalities. “The administration should take serious action, such as registering an offence.
Anita Hanumante, founder of Viman Nagar Vikas Sanstha (VNVS), said the issue was not about any particular party or celebration, but about whether civic rules were being applied equally.