Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031320360500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Poll campaign: MCH cracks the whip

Staff Reporter

Candidates asked to remove hoardings or face legal action `Remove hoardings or face legal action'

Rs. 50,000 fine for putting up publicity material

Corporation removes 150 banners, hoardings and buntings

HYDERABAD: The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad has woken up to complaints pouring in against defacement of walls and indiscriminate erection of hoardings, buntings all over the twin cities by candidates contesting the Legislative Council poll and has issued notices to at least eight of them.

The candidates under fire, all contesting for the graduates' constituency for the districts of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar, have been directed to remove their respective hoardings and other such publicity material seeking votes within three days or face legal action.

The corporation, in its notices issued on Monday, asked the candidates, including those belonging to major political parties, to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000 for putting up the publicity and campaign material at public places without taking any permission.

Candidates under fire

Candidates caught in the act and vying for a seat in the Legislative Council include P.L. Srinivas (Telugu Desam), G.R. Karunakar (BJP), A.V.N. Reddy, Y. Srinivas Reddy (TRS), U. Anjaneyulu, V.N. Reddy, K. Nageswar and K. Lakshmaiah.

Additional Commissioner (Traffic, Transportation & Advertising) N.V.S. Reddy said notices had been issued under Sections 420, 421 and 622 (C) of the HMC Act of 1955. If the candidates do not respond to the notices and pay the fine, they could face legal action and the returning officer concerned would be informed of the infringement.

"We have been receiving many complaints from citizens on the unauthorised campaign publicity material being put up. We have already removed 150 such banners, hoardings and buntings but it has increased in the last three days," he said. Mr. Reddy pointed out that some posters were also found pasted on street signboards besides defacing walls - of both Government and private buildings, banners, arches hoardings, etc. at traffic islands, parks, etc. However, the hoardings, which had been put up on officially sanctioned sites would be allowed. The official declared that citizens could remove unauthorised campaign material. Complaints could be filed to Guruprasad, AE (Advertisements) on phones: 99899 30199 or 040-23220848.