Posters, placards & banners: where’s my city?

Bengaluru: Every inch of available public space these days is being used to put up ads or announcements. With electric poles, walls, trees and transformer boxes being used for advertisements, many unorganized players have got a free pass for promotional purposes.
Postcards, placards, flute boards, among other things,  are being nailed or stapled on trees, crucifying the remnants of beauty in the city, especially in Majestic area where the menace is rampant.
It is to be noted that according to section III 4C under the Advertisement by-laws 2006, the application to put up a banner for advertising purposes should accompany the copies of the material to be displayed, location, time period, dimensions, etc.
 The Karnataka High Court has repeatedly intervened to address the problem of defacing of public properties, but still stringent action has not been taken by the authorities.
Another issue is the placement of hoardings. In most cases, the hoardings have either blocked the pathway used by the pedestrians or blocked the view from the opposite side of the commuters.
Yet few are aware that there are many laws in place to protect public property;  the main acts includes Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfiguration) Act, 1981 - Police Act, Section 15 of the Tree Preservation Act, 1976 - BBMP Act,  Section 367, sub-Section 31 of the Karnataka Municipal Act, 1949 - BBMP Act and Advertisement By Laws-2006.
The penalty for unauthorised disfigurement by advertisements- as per The Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfiguration) Act, 1981 states, "Whoever by himself or through another person affixes to,  or erects, inscribes or exhibits on, any place open to public view, any advertisement without the written permission of the local authority having jurisdiction over such area, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months or fine which may extend to Rs 1000, or with both."
The onus of prevention/taking action against persons who disfigure public property has been decentralized and lies with the eight Joint Commissioners. These JCs have not been effective in controlling the poster/hoarding menace. The police too have been given powers to take action under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfiguration) Act. However, the police do not take any action without an FIR, though they needn't wait for one.
It is to be noted that though disfigurement of public property is a cognisable offense, people do not hesitate to take the concerned authorities for a ride.