This story is from June 23, 2016

Billboard scam: Oppn goes on offensive, moots survey

A day after TOI reported the billboard 'scam', opposition members in the Kochi corporation are all set to put pressure on authorities to take action against owners of illegal hoardings in the city.
Billboard scam: Oppn goes on offensive, moots survey
There are over 4,000 illegal hoardings put up by various firms.
KOCHI: A day after TOI reported the billboard 'scam', opposition members in the Kochi corporation are all set to put pressure on authorities to take action against owners of illegal hoardings in the city.
Opposition leader K J Antony told TOI, "We have decided to raise the issue of illegal hoardings in the coming councils also. The civic body is losing crores of rupees of revenue every year as permit and renewal fees are never levied from hoarding owners.
This is due to lackadaisical attitude of the ruling front as well as a section of officers. If they do not take any action against those flouting law, the opposition will form a 'Janakeeya Samithi' next month and conduct a survey of the hoardings in the city."
The Janakeeya Samithi will be formed with the support of the Kudumbashree volunteers, Antony said.
On Wednesday, TOI had reported that there are only 911 hoardings that have legal permits issued by the corporation. There are over 4,000 illegal hoardings put up by various individuals and firms. The figures were given to the town planning committee by the revenue department. Even hoardings with permits are violating the sanctioned size for advertisements or fail to renew the permit every year.
The mayor had assured the council that action would be taken against owners of illegal hoardings.
"We suggest giving a month's time and holding a few weekly 'adalats' for legalising the already-installed hoardings and billboards. The permit fee has to be also revised as the existing fee is minimal compared to the rentals charged by billboard owners," Antony said.
The permit fee for a one-square-metre hoarding is Rs 500.
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