Punjab mulling strict law to check illegal hoardings

The deputy commissioners and district authorities in Punjab were today directed by Badal to intensify drive against illegal hoardings in the cities.

"Any violation of municipal bylaws would not be tolerated," the deputy chief minister said.

"The Punjab Government is of the firm view that it is the responsibility of the district administration to ensure latest outdoor advertisement policy passed by the State Cabinet is implemented in true spirit and they should ensure that no illegal hoarding was allowed in any city," Badal told reporters here.

"To give more teeth to the law against illegal hoardings the Cabinet would soon approve a bill providing for criminal proceedings against persons responsible for erection of illegal hoardings," he said.

Badal said that according to the new advertisement policy, electronic billboards would dot all the cities and illegal hoardings defacing the planned look of city would not be allowed.

Reports in a section of media today said the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has asked the Punjab Sports Department to immediately remove promotional hoardings erected at various points in the city, including those pertaining to the ongoing 3rd edition of the World Cup Kabaddi, as these were "not only defacing the city, but were also posing a traffic hazard".

The Kabaddi Cup hoardings erected here also carry the pictures of Sukhbir Singh Badal and others.

Meanwhile, seeking co-operation from saints and seers in launching concerted drive against drug addiction in the state, Badal said that "Punjab is paying dearly for being border state and porous Indo-Pak border".

"I have issued directions to the police to strengthen the case against drug lords and initiate proceedings for the attachment of their properties," Badal said, adding that with the guidance of saints and seers, "we would be able to control the menace of drug addiction in the state and channelise the energy of our youth in the fruitful tasks."