MCC to intensify drive to make city poster-free

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is all set to intensify its campaign to make the city posters-free. The authorities would file criminal cases against the people defacing the public places with posters and banners under Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981.

Addressing press persons, here, Mayor M J Ravikumar said that the MCC has been trying hard to retain the ‘clean city’ tag and thus has launched several initiatives and campaigns. “Henceforth, the provisions of Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981, will be enforced effectively. There is a provision under the said Act to file criminal case against the people who deface public places by affixing banners, posters or writing on the walls,” he said.

The MCC has already filed six cases under the Act in the last one month and the drive to check the menace will be intensified. Film distributors have asked for a space to paste film posters in the city.

The authorities have issued warning not to fix posters on public walls, the Mayor said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Crime and Traffic) N Rudramuni said, the police department will take strict action against the violators and the police will also file suo moto cases.

‘Poster Hatao’ campaign

Resource person for ‘Anti-Defacement’ under Swachh Bharat Mission Colonel Shivraj Kumar from Delhi is in the city to spread awareness about the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981.

Shivraj Kumar, who is spearheading a campaign ‘Poster Hatao’ since 2009 in parts of the country, said, penality for violation in Karnataka is less compared to Delhi. Under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981, offenders of disfigurement could be punished with an imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to Rs 1,000 or both. But in Delhi, penality for the same violation, is up to Rs 50,000 or one year imprisonment or both. He said, citizens should be aware of the Act. He suggested the people to adopt a slogan ‘Each one remove one’.

Earlier, Kumar conducted an ‘anti-defacement session for MCC authorities to create awareness on legal aspects of anti-defacement, and public participation to complain and remove posters pasted in public places.