Madras HC: Banners allowed for PM Modi-Xi Mahabs visit

Chennai: The Madras high court on Thursday said the undertaking given by the State government for erecting banners to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jin Ping, who are coming to Chennai for bilateral talks at Mahabalipuram, is not necessary, but it is obligatory on its part to follow the rules strictly.

A division bench comprising Justices M.Sathyanarayanan and N.Seshasayee passed the order on an undertaking affidavit filed by K.Baskaran, Commissioner, Municipal Administration on behalf of the State government.

In its order, the bench said the court is of the prima facie view that in terms of section 278 Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, the central government or the state government need not seek licence in respect of any place in occupation or under their control or in respect of any property belonging to government for the erection of digital banners, placards. However, the entities concerned were under obligation to comply with the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act as well as the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (permission of erection of digital banners and placards) rules 2011, the bench added.

Referring to its earlier order dated December 19, 2018 in which it had stated that unless a clear undertaking that the relevant rules pointed out and various orders passed by the court will be strictly complied with and scrupulously implemented and that no such violation would take place, the recognised and registered political parties shall not erect any digital banners.

The bench said, "The undertaking given by the Commissioner, Municipal Administration praying for appropriate orders as to the erection of welcome banners is not necessary". However, both the Central and State governments shall strictly comply with the provisions of CCMC Act and TNULB (Permission of erection of digital banners, placards) Rules, 2011, the bench added.