MCD launches drive against defacement

In a bid to clean up the city, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has started removing posters and banners from various properties.

In a bid to clean up the city, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has started removing posters and banners from various properties.

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“Taking serious note of illegal hoardings and banners in various parts of the city under its jurisdiction, MCD has decided to remove them, now that Diwali is over,” said a senior MCD official.

The MCD has also instructed all zonal deputy commissioners to issue appropriate directions to their respective staff to ensure that no unauthorised poster or banner was allowed to be put up on walls.

“The staff has been instructed to take immediate action for removal of illegal publicity material and also to lodge FIRs against the offenders. They have also been asked to submit a report on action taken by October 31,” added the official.

All action by MCD will be taken under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007 (Act 1 of the 2009), which came into force on March 1, 2009.

According to the Act, defacement of properties and walls is a cognizable offence and the guilty involved in the defacement of property shall be punishable with imprisonment of a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to R50,000 or both.

Defacement is when a person spoils any property in public view by writing, marking with ink, chalk, paint or any other material except for the purpose of indicating the name and address of the owner or occupier of such property.