Illegal political hoardings dot city roads

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 5

The menace of illegal hoardings and posters has become a major deterrent for lack of interest of advertisers in applying for advertisement tenders issued by the Local Bodies Department. 

While the Municipal Corporation’s tender for outdoor advertisement had been in limbo for over five months, illegally affixed posters featuring politicians and elected representatives continue to dot city roads. 

Advertisement posters featuring politicians are commonly found to be violating advertisement laws. 

In August, posters congratulating the appointment of Chairman of Patiala Improvement Trust were put-up at a number of places, including Beant Singh roundabout and were removed only after questions were raised with the MC over the same. 

Such posters featuring Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, MP Preneet Kaur, Mayor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma among others are regularly affixed illegally without check. 

These hoardings have cropped up during the Youth Congress elections.

Akali leaders also raised questions over such functioning of officials and politicians. 

Former Mayor Amarinder Bazaz said there is no rule of law. “The Congress people have made a mockery of the system and think they can do whatever they wish. Government land is being acquired illegally and colonies are being developed without hindrance.”

Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation had this year issued a tender for 103 outdoor media devices as per the policy for advertisements on gantries, pole kiosks, toilet blocks and mini poles among others at Rs 7.09 crore. 

The Corporation had to reduce the tender amount to Rs 6.3 crore (15 percent of the previous amount) after failing to receive even a single bidder in three unsuccessful attempts. 

Not a single agency applied for the tender issued for the fourth time after a reduction in the tender price.

Officials said the corporation had also prepared a report over the matter and sent it to the Local Bodies Department stating that the contractors were not applying for the tender. 

Officials said they might reduce the advertisement sites as discussed in the meeting of the finance and contract committee. 

Meanwhile, advertisers said the illegal affixation of posters and flex-boards hampered their business. “If we have to apply for the tenders, the MC should ensure that all those affixing illegal posters are penalised to dissuade the practice,” said a trader.

Sunil Mehta, Superintendent, MC (Land Branch), said the MC acted against all the offenders and added, “The matter has come to our information. We will get all the illegal posters removed at the earliest.”

Lowering tender price fails to woo bidders

• The Municipal Corporation had  issued a tender for 103 outdoor media devices as per the policy for advertisements on gantries, pole kiosks, toilet blocks and mini poles among others at Rs 7.09 crore. 
• The corporation had to reduce the tender amount to Rs 6.3 crore (15 percent of the previous amount) after failing to receive even a single bidder in three unsuccessful attempts. 
• Not a single agency applied for the tender issued for the fourth time after a reduction in the tender price.