High Court wields the big stick: Local bodies in hectic action

Malappuram: With the High Court ordering that unauthorised flex boards and hoardings in public places should be removed in ten days,  the government agencies have sprung into action.

Following the court order,  Panchayat Deputy Directors and Regional Joint Directors of Urban Affiars,  have been appointed as nodal officers to remove such advertisement boards,  banners and flags.

The contact details of these nodal officers, including phone/Whatsapp numbers and email addresses will be announced for the public to lodge their complaints in this regard.  The nodal officers are responsible for enforcing the court's and government's orders.

They should also evaluate the progress in the action and give necessary directions to the secretaries in self-government bodies.

The High Court had asked for removal of unauthorized boards and flex displays by various agencies,  political organizations and establishments in public places, as they were found to be a  cause of accidents.

However,  even after directions given by local self-government bodies, there was no change in the situation.  In this context,  the court ordered that if they were not removed within 10 days,  the secretaries and field staff of those bodies would face disciplinary action.

The court had also ordered imposing fines on and charging criminal case against,  those who put up unauthorised boards.  An amicus curiae appointed by the court to make a survey had informed that the government failed to enforce the order to remove the unauthorized flex boards on road sides and in public space.