Two businessmen booked for illegal ads on signage hoardings in Gurugram

MCG officials said that the Supreme Court has issued guidelines regarding advertisements on signage boards that have been installed for public information

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) penalised two city-based businessmen to a tune of ₹26 lakh on Wednesday for illegally putting advertisements on signage boards and hoardings at several spots across the city. Separate cases were registered against them for the violations, said officials.

MCG officials said that teams have been directed to remove illegal hoardings and advertisements from unipoles, hoardings and signage boards on Thursday and a list of violators will be prepared for further action. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

MCG officials said that teams have been directed to remove illegal hoardings and advertisements from unipoles, hoardings and signage boards on Thursday and a list of violators will be prepared for further action.

According to the Haryana Municipal Corporation Advertisement Byelaws, 2018, it is mandatory for a person to take permission from MCG to display any type of advertisement, hoardings and banners in the city.

PC Meena, MCG commissioner, said that a city-based jeweller was fined ₹10 lakh while a penalty of ₹16 lakh was imposed on a developer for the illegal advertisements. He said placing such advertisement material on public property, electric poles, public walls, and roadsides is a punishable offence and they cause hindrance to traffic.

The Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, carries a fine of up to ₹10,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

“The violators were penalised after assessment of the advertisement fees,” said Meena.

MCG officials said that the Supreme Court has issued guidelines regarding advertisements on signage boards that have been installed for public information.

“The advertisements were displayed on signage boards where information for the public and commuters are usually displayed. Display of advertisements on signboards causes problems for the common man,” he said.

Officials said the advertisement process is online and those wishing to display advertisements can apply for it by visiting the outdoor media management portal on MCG’s official website: www.mcg.gov.in.