12 fined Rs 3.45 lakh for defacing public properties in Rohtak

Despite persistent crackdown by the Municipal Corporation (MC) here, hoardings, flexes and posters are being put up at government and other properties in violation of norms in Rohtak city.

Posters can be seen pasted at entrances of parks, flyovers and walls of government offices, among other places, while flexes and hoardings are being placed on electricity poles in public places and markets without obtaining permission from the MC authorities.

Taking a serious note of it, the MC authorities have not only removed such hoardings and flexes from public places but also slapped a penalty of Rs 3,45,000 upon violators under the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989.

The authorities have also warned the violators that an FIR would be lodged against them if the fine is not paid in time.

Sources said the MC authorities had been in the action mode against the violators since local Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra had raised the issue in the Vidhan Sabha stating that illegal hoardings, flexes and posters at government properties had

made Rohtak city ugly while the previous Congress government had spent a huge amount for its beautification.

“Our teams carry out daily inspections in the city to identify and to remove illegal hoardings, flexes and posters from government properties. Penalty is also being imposed upon violators. Now, we are in the process to get FIRs registered against those who have not paid the fine,” said Dharmendra Singh, Commissioner, MC.

He informed that the MC authorities had identified the sites where the hoardings and posters could be put up after obtaining permission from its office.

“The expenses incurred during the removal of hoardings/flexes, posters etc. is also recovered from the person concerned for which he/she himself is responsible,” the Commissioner added.