Illegal boards: High Court says action is not efficient; fine of Rs 5,000 cannot be levied?

KOCHI: High Court expressed displeasure at the proliferation of illegal boards and fluxes. The government is not working efficiently in this regard. There are also flux boards of government departments on the streets. These cause visual pollution. While considering the petitions, Justice Devan Ramachandran asked why a fine of Rs 5,000 couldn't be imposed on those who put up illegal boards.

No one should be allowed to place boards at will. Boards fall to the ground and water accumulates on them, breeding mosquitoes. The court verbally said that this is the time when dengue fever is increasing. Additional Advocate General Ashok M Cherian stated that the government is looking into the levy of fines.

Sarada Muralidharan, Chief Secretary of the Local Government Department, who was present online, said that only with the help of road safety officers and various departments, the boards can be completely removed. She said that action has been taken against the government institutions.

Wouldn't the financial problem have been reduced?

The government explained to the court that around 40 lakh illegal boards have been removed. Wouldn't the financial distress have been reduced if they were fined Rs 5,000 each, the single bench asked. It was also suggested that the amount of fine paid should be informed when the petition is re-considered. Additional Chief Secretary said that facilities have been provided on the citizen portal to the public to share pictures of the places where garbage has accumulated and action is being taken accordingly. The court also directed to inform about the steps taken like this.