Since the model code of conduct came into force, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed around 9,000 illegal hoardings from private and public properties, and has filed 44 police complaints. It has also taken action in over 7,000 instances of wall defacement, which means covering the existing names of politicians in public places.
On the first working day after the model code kicked in on March 10, BMC officials pulled down 1,501 posters, banners from public places and 81 from private premises across all 24 wards. Within one month, the BMC has cracked down on 8,657 illegal hoardings in public properties and 350 in private properties. Among the 24 wards, Goregaon (P/South) ward saw the most hoardings removed at 1,126, followed by Dahisar (R/North) at 714. Among private properties, Mulund (T ward) topped the chart with 205.
Besides, as per the code of conduct, the BMC has to cover every public sign that bears the name of political leaders. For example, a public toilet may have the names of people who inaugurated it. All these signs, plaques need to be covered, under the head ‘defacement removal’. They are covered temporarily and opened after elections. The civic body has covered 7,399 such signs across all wards. Of these, Byculla fared the best at 1,105.
The BMC has filed police complaints in 44 cases of illegal hoardings. Once an illegal hoarding is located, the BMC is supposed to take action against the offender under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995. A letter is sent to the police station concerned and the police then file an FIR.
“Our action has been going on but the number of offenders has decreased. Even politicians understand the seriousness of the code of conduct and don’t put up hoardings. Most were removed soon after the model code was enforced. We are alert and attending to complaints,” an officer from the BMC’s licence department said. Besides, BMC employees are assisting district collectors in enforcement of the model code of conduct.