Contempt notice to Kaithal, Palwal DCs over hoardings over highway hoardings

CHANDIGARH: Miffed over the inaction of the district administration Kaithal and Palwal in removing illegal hoardings/advertisements in the cities, the Punjab and Haryana high court has warned the deputy commissioners (DCs) of both the districts of initiating contempt proceedings against them for defying the court orders.
Justice Rajive Bhalla passed these orders on January 22 while hearing an ongoing petition related to the illegal hoardings or advertisements in various cities of Punjab and Haryana.
When the matter came up for hearing before the HC on January 22, the DCs of both the districts were not present and even no reply was filed on their behalf on the issue.
"Notice was issued to the deputy commissioners of Palwal and Kaithal to show cause why proceedings be not initiated for failure to remove illegal hoardings/advertisements. The deputy commissioners of Palwal and Kaithal are not present nor has any reply been filed. In case, the deputy commissioners of Palwal and Kaithal are not present on the next date of hearing, it shall be presumed that they are intentionally violating orders of this court, thereby requiring appropriate orders to be passed by this court," observed Justice Bhalla. The case has now been fixed for February 5 for further hearing.
The matter is being heard by Justice Bhalla in view of a petition related to illegal hoardings along the highways in Haryana and on roads of various major cities of Punjab and Haryana.
Earlier, the HC was informed that separate teams had been constituted for each district of Haryana. She further added that these teams shall to inspect every municipal area and file a report. with the Nodal Officer which shall be presented with the comments before the HC. Chaudhary has been appointed by the Haryana government as Nodal Officer for regulation of outdoor hoardings/advertisements in the state.