PMC to follow state's directions on hoardings policy

PUNE: The General Body of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Thursday decided with majority to follow the state directed technicalities to implement the ambitious hoardings policy.
The state UDD in its order last week had suspended the hoardings policy as the PMC had not followed the procedure and published the policy and sought the state permission."The state government is suspending the policy under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations (BPMC) Act, 1949, section 451," stated the UDD order.
The GB approved the resolution to communicate with the state government over the issue and conform to the directions laid down. Now, the PMC will publish advertisement about the hoardings policy and seek suggestions and objections on the same.
The Congress, the NCP and the Shiv Sena supported the policy in the GB meeting while the BJP opposed the same and the proposal to complete the technicalities was approved with 45 against 15 votes. "This policy should be approved as it will bring more funds to the PMC," said Congress leader Aba Bagul while Sham Deshpande of Shiv Sena said the PMC should immediately complete all the technicalities and start implementing the policy.
BJP's Vikas Mathkari said the PMC should not push for the policy despite the state's objection and should keep it aside.
The PMC has approved a comprehensive policy for sky sign advertisements and hoardings in the city to curb visual pollution. According to the new policy, all permissions for existing sky signs will be cancelled and new ones will be issued. The city will be divided into several zones for smoother functioning of the permission issues.
As per the civic administration, the Bombay high court had paved the way for implementation of the new hoardings policy by dismissing the case of the Pune Outdoor Hoarding Association (POHA) against the policy.
The POHA had lodged a case in the HC against the hoardings policy. However, the HC stated that as per section 451 of the BPMC Act, 1949, the state should conduct a hearing on the policy within two weeks and decide on the matter within six weeks. The PMC can continue with the tendering process for the policy in the meantime.
The policy will ensure that no sky signs or advertisements are displayed in a manner that inconveniences motorists and pedestrians. It has also drafted rules for the size and structure of the hoardings so that they do not deface the city. No advertisements will be allowed in public places, such as gardens, hilltops, slopes, riverbanks and historic and religious places.