South MCD orders removal of all illegal political banners, hoardings

Defacing public property by putting up posters at non-designated sites is an offence under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, but violations become rampant around polls

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Friday ordered officials in all its administrative zones to remove all illegal hoardings, posters and banners put up several political parties in the run up to the municipal elections that are scheduled to be held in April.

Several members of the SDMC standing committee had raised the issue of large-scale defacement of public spaces by ticket aspirants for municipal polls. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

Several members of the SDMC standing committee had raised the issue of large-scale defacement of public spaces by ticket aspirants for municipal polls.

Standing committee chairperson Col (retd) BK Oberoi directed the deputy commissioners of all zones that beginning Saturday a drive needs to be carried out to remove illegal banners and posters, and initiate action against the violators. “Sanitation department teams should also be present during the drive to clear the trash,” he said.

Defacing public property by putting up posters at non-designated sites is an offence under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, but violations become rampant around polls.

During the committee meeting, councillors from various parts of South Delhi flagged that markets, entry points, public walls and metro pillars have been defaced beyond recognition by the prospective candidates. Poonam Bhati, the deputy chairperson of the committee concurred that public areas have been defaced and satisfactory action was not being taken by the enforcement teams.

A senior municipal official from advertisement department said that the teams on ground are wary of taking action due to political pressure. “We will file FIRs in cases where people oppose the removal of defacements,” the official added.

Suresh Kumar, the municipal councillor from Khanpur area under south zone said that large parts of city are being turned into “slums” with illegal posters pasted on every wall. “People from same political parties are fighting among themselves to secure tickets by pasting one set of posters on top of others. In some cases, the licensing inspectors have also been manhandled when they tried to take action. We demand that FIRs should be filed against repeat offenders,” he added.

Leader of the house and other committee members also echoed similar concerns.

An action taken report from South Delhi Municipal Corporation shows that more than 100,000 illegal banners, posters and hoardings were removed between November and January.

Atul Goel, who heads URJA (United RWAs Joint Action) a collective body of resident welfare associations, said that the RWAs have also tried earlier to encourage agencies to act against defacement of public property. “Both government and municipal corporations have failed to prevent violations of the law. We should try to increase the model code of conduct period to improve enforcement near elections. Our larger goal has been to advocate for local body polls not being fought on party symbols,” he added.