Mumbai: The government informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that it will act against gram panchayats granting “illegal” permissions for erecting giant hoardings.
A government resolution (GR) issued on November 26 by the Rural Development Department directed all gram panchayats to refrain from granting such permissions, warning of action against violations. The GR, issued following a directive from the High Court in August, emphasises that under the Gram Panchayat Act, 1959, gram panchayats lack authority to grant permissions or issue no-objection certificates for advertising hoardings within their jurisdiction.
The resolution mandates the immediate removal of unauthorised hoardings and calls for strict adherence to these instructions. “Action will be taken against those involved in illegal activities as per the provisions of the prevailing law. All Gram Panchayats in the state should take immediate action to remove unauthorized advertisement boards/hoardings within their limits. Everyone should strictly follow these instructions,” the GR read.
Additional government pleader Savina Crasto submitted an affidavit before a bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata, along with a copy of the GR. Crasto said that as per the GR, action would be taken against those committing illegal acts.
Issue Of Illegal Giant Hoardings Gains Prominence
The issue of illegal giant hoardings gained prominence after the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) issued notices to hoarding owners in Navi Mumbai, asking them to remove unauthorised billboards following the collapse of a giant hoarding in Ghatkopar in May. The collapse, caused by heavy rains and winds, resulted in 17 deaths and over 70 injuries.
The tragedy prompted agencies, including the BMC, to conduct surveys and crack down on illegal giant hoardings. Subsequently, hoarding owners and advertising agencies challenged notices issued by MSRDC and CIDCO in the high court, claiming they had permissions from gram panchayats. However, the court refused relief, allowing planning authorities to demolish illegal hoardings when owners failed to remove them voluntarily. On May 30, the agencies had agreed to dismantle the hoardings by the end of August.
