Unauthorized boards and flags should be removed within 10 days; lapse from the part of government, says High Court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed to remove illegal flex boards and banners in public places within 10 days. Local bodies can appoint squads and field staff for this. Police protection should be ensured. Case should be registered if there are threats. Justice Devan Ramachandran warned that the local secretaries will be fined if the illegal boards continue.
The principal secretary of the local self-government department has to be present on the 11th to explain the lapses in removing these. It was the failure of the government to not take action despite several orders, the court said.
"Every board is an advertisement. Increasing the penalty according to the size of the boards should be considered. Boards and flags are tied all over the railing of the road. The situation is such that one will be in trouble if he touches political flags. Roads will be beautified at a cost of crores of rupees. Then boards will be put up all over the place to make them dirty.
Large boards are posing a danger in many places. Rs 5-10 lakh will be given as compensation in case of an accident. Anything people wish cannot be allowed to be done in a public place," the court said verbally. Petitions seeking the removal of illegal boards are under consideration.
The corporation said it has imposed a fine of Rs 6 lakh on those who put up illegal boards in Thiruvananthapuram. The court asked shouldn't a fine of at least Rs 50 lakh be received.
The court said not only political parties but posters of films and religious institutions are also being put up in violation of the law. The court also observed that placing a board is not a religious practice.