Publicity material still defacing Moga walls

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, January 10

Despite enforcement of the model code of conduct, political parties continue to deface government property in many areas.

While travelling from Ludhiana to Moga yesterday, this correspondent found hundreds of paintings, posters and banners, highlighting the achievements of political parties. The posters could also be seen fixed on electricity poles and trees in some places.

The posters/banners highlighting the achievements of the SAD-BJP government could be seen in Moga, Ajitwal, Jagraon, Mullanpur Dakha and also in villages located on the national highway.

One of the paintings highlighting slogans of the SAD-BJP government made by the Public Relations Department was seen on the outer wall of a government godown on the outskirts of Ajitwal in the district while some of these paintings were also seen blackened by the authorities concerned on the directions of the administration.

Moga Mayor Akshit Jain said the corporation had issued several notices to political parties to remove their banners/hoardings from all public places within the city limits along the national highway in wake of the EC directions. “I have also directed the MC authorities to remove the publicity materials from all public properties,” he added.

Meanwhile, the district administration and the Moga MC have not registered even a single case under Section 3 of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1997, with regard to these violations of the poll code, confirmed officials.