Belagavi: In a bid to bring the illegal advertisement hoarding mafia to their knees, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George said Bescom has been asked to disconnect power supply to unauthorised outdoor advertisement hoardings across Bengaluru.
Replying to a question in the Council, he said BBMP had identified 5420 illegal hoardings and notices were served on them to pay Rs 326 crore as advertisement cess and penalty. However, owners of these hoardings moved the High Court which stayed further action.
Vacating the stay order, the court allowed BBMP to first collect advertisement cess of Rs 200 crore and then take steps to collect penalty. It is impossible to ban such hoardings since there was provision in the BBMP bylaw to allow outside advertisement hoardings against a prescribed fee.
Mr George said notices had been served on private companies to remove unauthorised hoardings. He ruled out sending Ms Rashmi Mahesh, a senior IAS officer and currently working in BBMP on leave for acting tough against illegal billboards, and said she had sought two months leave to take care of her mother.
Mr George appealed to political parties not to put up flex boards to welcome leaders or convey birthday wishes which ruins the city's beauty.
