Political & govt advertisements covering signboards violate law, FIRs to follow: RMC

Raipur: Responding to reports that most overhead signboards in the city were obscured by banners of political and govt advertisements for months on end, RMC president Suryakant Rathore acknowledged the issue and assured that stricter rules will be introduced, including filing FIRs against violators.

The signboards were covered for nearly six months, and RMC authorities had not addressed the issue. While recent rain and strong winds have torn down banners and posters from some signboards, others remain covered. Approximately 50 signboards in and around the city, intended to guide visitors, have been obscured by advertisements for months.

Rathore emphasised that signboards are meant to guide commuters and visitors, and obstructing them hampers navigation and violates existing laws. Immediate action is expected following discussions with the RMC commissioner. "RMC will formulate stricter rules to prevent the misuse of public properties for any type of advertisements," Rathore said.

Recently, concerns were raised about overhead signboards being covered with political hoardings and, subsequently, banners promoting govt schemes. When this issue was brought to his notice, the RMC president told TOI that such usage was illegal.

"Signboards are meant to guide commuters, especially visitors to the state capital. Obstruction by political and govt scheme advertisements makes navigation difficult, violating the existing law. We will strengthen the existing law, and FIRs will be filed against those found in violation," the RMC president stated to TOI.

In related news, the RMC president also informed media on Monday that a special general meeting has been convened on Tuesday to discuss the ‘One Nation, One Election' proposal moved by Mayor Meenal Choubey.