The city is witnessing a proliferation of illegal advertising materials in public places which not only mars aesthetics but causes revenue loss for Mysore City Corporation (MCC).
The corporation has directed that all flex and hoardings in the city be removed before August 15. According to a release, the MCC has said that those responsible for putting up publicity materials should voluntarily remove them. The MCC Council has passed a resolution on December 29, 2011, to make the city ‘flex free’ in view of its heritage value, the release said.
Those responsible for installing flex boards have been warned of legal action and prosecution, as per the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, if they failed to remove the materials by August 15.
Of the two common types of hoardings in the city, one is seasonal and confined to residential areas — mainly the ‘Koppals’ or densely populated hamlets closeted between two areas of the city. The second variety pertains to those advertising coaching classes, short-term educational courses, film posters among others.
The life-size hoardings and flex boards come up invariably in the ‘Koppals’ where local leaders extend ‘seasonal greetings’.
The proliferation of such material coincides with the advent of festival seasons, as the authorities hesitate to crack down on the practice to placate religious sentiments.
The self-promotion materials are put up despite the frequent warnings issued by the MCC. Law apart, the life-size hoardings depicting local leaders and their followers are an eyesore.
Flex boards are common at K.G. Koppal, Vishwa Manava Double Road, Sharada Devi Nagar, parts of Kantharaja Urs Road and Kuvempunagar. Though the area was cleared of flex boards on Thursday, it may be soon be back in the next festival season.
MCC officials say that they give time for voluntary removal of such material lest it may lead to tension. There is also the practice of putting up flex and hoardings containing obituary messages and authorities hesitate to remove them. Whether the authorities crack down on such banners this time remains to be seen.
