Keralam issues guidelines to remove unauthorised flex boards, initiate prosecution against offenders

The State government has issued detailed guidelines for removing unauthorised flex boards, banners, flagpoles and other such materials installed on roadsides and public places, along with imposing fines and initiating prosecution proceedings against the offenders. The guidelines were issued based on the orders of the Kerala High Court.

The High Court has, at regular intervals, issued orders directing the complete removal of unauthorised banners, flex boards, flag decorations and similar materials installed in public places, roadsides, footpaths, handrails, centre medians and traffic islands in the State, and for taking stringent action against the offenders. In the latest order issued on August 8, the court observed that the local self government institutions in Keralam were showing serious negligence in collecting fines in proportion to the number of boards removed, resulting in the loss of revenue amounting to crores of rupees to the government.

The court had warned that such action is extremely serious (culpable action), and that if fines were not imposed even after unauthorised boards were removed, the amount would be recovered personally from the secretaries of the concerned local self government institutions, holding them personally responsible.

Fine of ₹5,000

Based on this direction, the Local Self-Government department (LSGD) has prepared a detailed a guideline. As per the guideline, no such materials should be installed or displayed in public places. A fine of ₹5,000 should be imposed for each unauthorised flex, banner, flag decoration, board or other similar items removed, a circular issued by the government said.

In addition to the fine, the expenses incurred for removing such materials, shifting them to the holding area and scientifically disposing them should be recovered from the persons responsible, besides initiating prosecution proceedings against them. The removal of unauthorised boards and the imposition and collection of fines are the personal responsibility of the secretaries of the local bodies, the circular said.

The police station house officers should provide necessary protection to officials when boards and such materials are being removed. Also when such materials are removed, the District Police Chiefs should issue directions to register FIRs against those responsible and to take necessary police action, the circular said.

Accurate details

The secretaries of the local bodies should also collect accurate details regarding the boards removed in particular format and submit them through the Joint Director concerned to the Principal Director of the LSGD. The Principal Director should submit these details to the State government at regular intervals, it said.

The removed flex boards and banners should also be scientifically disposed of by the secretaries of the local bodies through Haritha Karma Sena or authorised agencies. The Principal Director of the LSGD should also ensure that the instructions are strictly complied with by the secretaries of the local bodies. Strict action shall be taken against officials who violate the instructions, the circular warned.