Apex court asks MCD to consider billboard policy

After 13 years of monitoring unauthorised hoardings in Delhi,the Supreme Courts Green Bench.

After 13 years of monitoring unauthorised hoardings in Delhi,the Supreme Courts Green Bench on Friday tossed the issue back to MCD councillors for passing a law based on the civic bodys outdoor advertising policy of 2008.

The three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia said it would look odd if the court first approves the policy and the MCD later chooses to dissent.

We are directing you (MCD) to consider it in the House. You are a statutory authority. Let us see what you can do. If it (2008 policy) becomes a law,very well then anyone can challenge it before us. It will not be good if we approve the policy and they reject it later, the Bench observed.

The court on Friday ordered that the peoples representatives are the best judges to debate the applicability of the Delhi Outdoor Advertisement Policy 2008,prepared by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD),to curb rampant deployment of unauthorised hoardings in the Capital.

The policy document clearly states that the policy for outdoor advertising is driven not by revenue imperatives,but by city development imperatives. Outdoor hoardings are permitted only if they are not a road safety hazard or if they support the citys public service development and enhance its aesthetics.

The court gave MCD three months time to consider the reports along with the 2008 policy.

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