Pune: Repeated appeals from senior party leaders, as well as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, have failed to make any impact as illegal outdoor publicity materials, such as banners, posters, and flex boards put up by various political parties, including the BJP, continue to deface several areas of Pune.Most of these materials were displayed to congratulate newly elected representatives.According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a special drive was launched to remove the unauthorised displays. Legal action, including the registration of criminal cases, will be initiated in the coming days.Civic officials said more than 410 large boards and over 1,500 small banners were removed after the election results were announced. The special drive was carried out during the day, as well as in the evening and at night. Similar drives were conducted earlier this month and last month. Following the implementation of the model code of conduct, the civic body removed nearly 10,000 illegal banners and posters.“PMC has dedicated teams to remove such unauthorised materials. Further action will continue in the coming days,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of PMC’s sky sign department.The drive was carried out by the civic body’s sky sign and licensing departments. It included the removal of political flexes, banners, kiosks, stickers, hoardings, flags, signboards, and wall advertisements installed without permission. The action covered major intersections, arterial roads, public spaces, and areas surrounding govt buildings.A civic official said the administration is in the process of registering offences related to the defacement of public property within municipal limits. Such violations are governed by the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, which prohibits unauthorised writing, painting, printing, or pasting of posters, banners, hoardings, or any activity that damages or defaces property visible to the public, including roads, walls, buildings, poles, fences, and trees.Violations of the Act are a punishable offence, with imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both. While municipal corporations enforce their own advertising and signage by-laws, the 1995 Act remains the primary legal framework across Maharashtra to prevent defacement of public property and maintain urban aesthetics.
