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Defacement-free Patiala by June this year, says DC
In a meeting of police and MC officials here on Monday, deputy commissioner (DC) Kumar Amit said that besides legal action, at least 170 firms have been issued show-cause and warning notices.
Taking strict note of defacement across Patiala, the district administration has registered first information reports (FIRs) against at least 17 private firms for defacing public properties here.
The firms have been booked under Section 3 (penalty for defacement of property) of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Ordinance Act.
Defacement of public property is one of the major issues, as residents complain that posters, pamphlets and unregulated paintings can be spotted at different places, including hospitals, government offices and underpasses of flyovers, marring the beauty of the Royal City.
The administration has roped in police and Patiala municipal corporation (MC) and has started special drive to ensure action against defaulters.
In a meeting of police and MC officials here on Monday, deputy commissioner (DC) Kumar Amit said that besides legal action, at least 170 firms have been issued show-cause and warning notices.
“The MC has slapped fine worth Rs 3.50 lakh against the defaulters in the past one month,” the DC said. He added that the officials have been directed to remove all illegal posters, banners and billboards installed at public properties and to submit a detailed report regarding the same within 10 days.
The DC said the district administration and Patiala MC have mooted projects for beautification of the city, under which, the work of whitewash and beautification of railway overbridges is being carried out.
“But it has came to fore that violators have been pasting posters and putting up banners and hoardings, at different places, especially on railway overbridges, across city, thus defacing and littering public property,” he said.
Violating the civic norms, hoardings are dotting the city at Leela Bhawan, Fountain Chowk, Patiala-Rajpura Road, Sirhind Road, bus stand road and in Samana, Patran, Nabha and Rajpura.
“The departments concerned have been asked to ensure that Patiala becomes defacement-free by June 1,” the DC added. He further directed the MC officials to initiate action against the firms as well as the printing press.
Meanwhile, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Poonamdeep Kaur said that at least 170 notices have been issued, following which, the defaulters have removed many illegal advertisements from public properties.
Superintendent of police (headquarters) Kanwardeep Kaur said at least 17 FIRs have been registered at the Sadar police station. “A police control room (PCR) is rushed to the spot immediately after any defacement complaint being registered with us,” she said. The SP added that no arrest has been made so far.
Under the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Ordinance Act, defacement of any public or private property is a cognisable offence. On violating the Act, the accused can be imprisoned for six months or fined up to Rs 1,000 or both.
DEFAULTERS’ LIST
The administration has registered FIRs against Pace, Sophiya Study, Nimble Immigration, Apaara IELTS, Inspiration IELTS Centre, VLCC Institute of Beauty Nutrition, MMS Institute for IAS/PCS, Shine Square Institute of English Language, Nischay Gyan UGC for NET JRF, GRE Brain Edge, Shri Krishna Consultant, Spectrum Institute, Indian Idol Academy, Zee Academy, Maluka IAS/PS Centre, Rayat Bahra College of Law, Flying VISA Immigration, and Pentagon Study.
