Officials’ responsibility fixed: Sidhu

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 23

With the government issuing the notification of the Punjab Municipal Outdoor Advertisement Policy 2018, the responsibility of the officials has been fixed to ensure strict compliance with all provisions.

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said the policy would be implemented strictly to generate good revenue for urban local bodies.

Due to the presence of advertisement mafia backed by some politicians in Ludhiana city, the MC failed to generate revenue from its proposed advertisement projects that could not see the light of day. Besides, illegal advertisement hoarding is a major issue of the city.

The notification for the policy was issued on Thursday, while the Urban Local Bodies in the state would have to ensure the compliance of all provisions of the policy within two months.

Under the new policy, a nodal officer appointed by the Urban Local Body (ULB) would submit a fortnightly report to the MC Commissioner or Executive Officer (EO) concerned that in the area under their jurisdiction there is strict compliance with all provisions of the policy. Further, Commissioner and EO would submit a monthly compliance report to Director of Department of Local Government.

If the officials concerned fail to ensure compliance of the policy, the state would recover the amount of revenue loss suffered by the state from the nodal officer and other officials concerned for dereliction of duty. Besides, a flying squad from Local Bodies Department would also conduct random checks in areas under ULBs.

Moreover, residents would be able to register complaints regarding the non-compliance of provisions of the policy on the web portal of the department concerned and the complaint received would be redressed within three days by the commissioner or executive officer concerned of ULB, as per the new policy. The complainant would be informed of the action taken regarding the complaint.

According to the policy, unauthorised advertisement would be removed immediately at the cost of the advertiser and property owner, for which no notice is required to be given and a penalty/fine be imposed as per municipal laws. 

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said they would ensure the implementation of the policy in the right manner, so the ULBs generate good revenue from advertisements. He said he would also conduct surprise visits to keep a check on the compliance of the new advertisement policy. “We have fixed the responsibility of the officials. If they fail to act against violations, they will have to face the music,” Sidhu said.

Traffic Advisor, Punjab, hails move

The malls would be allowed to install ground mounted display board within its premises for displaying information regarding business / office/ entertainment-establishments operating within the building. Punjab Traffic advisor Navdeep Asija said it was a positive move for the state. Now, the hoardings cannot be installed on rooftop of any buildings in area falling under ULB, he said.

What’s new 

• In the new policy, hoardings, billboards, unipoles and other advertisements are not allowed on rooftops of any type of buildings. After the implementation of the new policy, rooftop hoardings installed in the city would also have to be removed by private firms concerned 
• To bring transparency, the name and contact number of Nodal Officer would be displayed on the web portal of the department and public notice board. Besides, the information about the total number of different type of advertisement devices permitted their type, size, name and their location, contact number of the advertising device licence holder and validity of permission granted by the ULB concerned would be displayed
• Now, the name and contact number of the licensed advertising agency is required to be displayed clearly on the lower right hand side of the advertising hoarding/ pole kiosk or any other advertising device. Besides, information about the size of hoarding and validity permission granted must be displayed. 
• The police in-charge will ensure that no advertisement is mounted on traffic barricades, police assistance booths and traffic assistance booths. The SSP concerned will also have to submit the report to the Director Local Bodies Department every month.