MCG cracks down on RWAs over ‘illegal’ advertisement revenue

A fresh confrontation has erupted between the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) after the civic body began issuing notices to RWAs allegedly collecting revenue by allowing banners and posters on entry gates, poles and walls of residential sectors.

Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the practice amounted to a clear violation of the civic advertisement policy. “Nobody except the Municipal Corporation Gurugram can collect any tax or remuneration on advertisements. In many residential areas, RWAs are allowing people to put up advertisements and collecting money. This is illegal and needs to stop. We have got complaints against many and have started sending out notices. Defiance will invite strict penalisation,” Dahiya told ‘The Tribune’.

On September 6, the MCG carried out inspections and issued its first set of notices. One notice cites a banner for a skin clinic installed on the entry gate of Sector 27 without permission. The RWA concerned has been asked to remove the hoarding and reply within three days. The notice, signed by Deputy Town Planner Siddharth Khandelwal on behalf of the Commissioner, warns of penalties and even criminal proceedings under the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, the Haryana Municipal Advertisement Byelaws, 2022 and the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989.

The move has sparked strong protests from RWAs, which argue that limited advertising was a legitimate way to raise funds for day-to-day upkeep of colonies where MCG often falls short.

Praveen Yadav, president of the United Gurugram RWAs (UGR), said, “There is so much work like replacing a broken sewer cover, fixing a cable, clearing debris, repairing motors or even sweeping and garbage collection when MCG fails. Do we keep pleading for months? We have staff to pay, and controlled advertising helps generate those funds. Should residents be burdened with these costs when they already pay taxes?”

Another federation member said, “MCG is blind to defacement across the city, highways and main roads where political banners dominate. But they target RWAs for meagre, audited funds? We are proxy MCG in our areas. How do we manage without resources?”

Rejecting the argument, Dahiya maintained the corporation’s stand: “Both defacement and illegally charging for advertisements is unlawful. There is no justification. RWAs charge hefty maintenance already, and if they need more funds, they must explore lawful measures. We are issuing notices and will file FIRs if required,” he warned.