Defacement goes on amid no action in city

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 6

Though armed with the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 1997, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to prevent defacement of walls in the city. Since punitive action is not taken, such violations are common across the city.

A senior citizen, Naresh Johar, said the city was being visited by tens of thousands of visitors from across the globe every day. “Are we presenting a decent look of the city?” he questioned.

Jaspal Singh, another city resident, said, “Most of such advertisements are illegal. Not only traders, but also private coaching institutes resort to coming up with such advertisements to promote themselves.” Advertisements on the walls facing roads can be noticed in every part of the city. These advertisements are available aplenty on commercially popular stretches and roads.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 1997 authorises the MC to act against the violators. As per the Act, defacement includes impairing or interfering with the appearance of beauty, damaging, disfiguring, spoiling or injuring in any other way. It says property includes any land, building, hut, structure, wall, tree, fence, post, pole or any other erection. Writing includes decoration, lettering or ornamentation, produced by stencil. Violators can be imprisoned for a term of six months or with fine which may extend up to Rs 1,000 or both.

When contacted, Sonali Giri, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, said a surge in installation of posters was noticed due to the New Year and the upcoming Lohri celebrations. At the same time, We are getting them removed, she added.