Corporation to launch anti-poster drive

KOCHI: The sight of posters and advertisements stuck on the walls and posts is so familiar that gradually it has become part and parcel of every growing city. However, seldom they carry permission from the authorities to be stuck on private and public properties.After Kerala State Electricity Board’s (KSEB) removal drive of unauthorised posters in the city, now the Corporation has kicked off a campaign to remove unauthorised advertisements and posters placed within the Corporation limits and concerned parties would be fined.“The advertisements and posters are everywhere. People do not care about the Corporation rules and regulations. Posters are pasted at prohibited premises, there are 25 posters nailed to Maharaja’s College compound walls and removing them would damage the wall. There are many such displays in the city. Persons or organisations displaying these advertisements will be fined,” said Town Planning Officer K J Sohan.“Each and every poster, may it be of any organisation’s or small notices put up by individuals and hostels, will be removed as part of the drive. Some are already served with notices,” he added.“There is a specific fees including the tax for any income generating advertisements anywhere within the Corporation limits, which depends on the size and the period for which it will be displayed. Notices for aid like missing person notice does not fall into this category,” said Revenue Divisional Officer S Shahnawaz.