Karnataka govt scraps controversial advertisement rules

Contravening HC stand against Bengaluru hoardings, BJP govt’s advt rules were very ‘liberal’ in permitting hoardings and flexes

BENGALURU:

Virtually cutting off a major source of revenue from the ‘golden advertisement goose’ that is Bengaluru, the BJP government has withdrawn its own controversial advertisement rules, which were notified on July 26, the day BS Yediyurappa stepped down as Chief Minister.

The order issued by Under Secretary Lakshmisagar NK on September 14, a copy of which is with TheBengaluruLive, reads: “The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Advertisement Rules, 2021 notified vide Notification No: UDD 439 MNU 2018 (P-2) dated 26-07-2021 is withdrawn hereby with immediate effect.”

As per sources, the rules were contrary to various directions issued by the High Court for removal of illegal hoardings and to prevent disfigurement of open spaces, besides being violative of the guidelines of the HC on advertisement hoardings.

Free hand to hoardings!

The rules provided for erecting hoardings up to 25 feet high and putting up flexes as wide as nine metres. Even private buildings with occupancy certificates were allowed to host such hoardings. However, the rules restricted advertisements at junctions and at other places that could distract motorists..

The rules had been criticized within the BJP itself as they were ‘coincidentally’ notified on the day Yediyurappa resigned as Chief Minister. It is said that the central leadership of the party directed incumbent Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to withdraw the advertisement rules.

Bommai in turn directed BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta and Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh (who is also BBMP Administrator) to withdraw the advertisement rules.

During the last Karnataka assembly elections, the BJP had projected an environment-friendly image of itself with a poll manifesto ‘assurance’ of a blanket ban on advertisements and hoarding in Bengaluru city.