Days after new Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan directed the BMC to remove all flex banners and posters at public places put by workers of his party,the civic administration has launched a massive drive across the streets of Mumbai. We have removed 15,889 banners and posters across the city in the past few days, said D S Kharat,licence superintendent,BMC. A BMC official confirmed it was the Chief Ministers directive that prompted the drive. He directed that all posters and banners depicting him be removed as they were an eyesore on the citys landscape, the official said. Chavan had said exhibiting posters and banners at public places was not the appropriate manner of expressing their feelings as it not only spoils the beauty of the city but may also hamper traffic movement. Usually if one wants to put up a poster,a banner or an advertisement,they need to apply in advance and follow the procedure to get all required approval from the BMC,otherwise the BMC can impose a fine, Kharat said. Permission is given at ward level. An official said political parties usually dont seek approval. And it is very difficult to penalise them. Of the posters and banners removed,more than 90 per cent are political hoardings and posters. The rest are commercial advertisements,the official said.. Although there is no policy circular on display of such posters and banners from the state,we are hoping this directive is made formally so that a law can be made. This would help the civic administration tackle pressure from political parties, the official said.
