New Outdoor Advertising bylaws for Karnataka

24th July 2008, Bangalore: After Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, it is the turn of Bangalore to tweak and change the laws governing outdoor advertising. The new BJP-led government that has given special status to Bangalore’s development has now promised to take a close look the bylaws governing the out of home space.

Replying to a heated debate in the Legislative Council on Thursday (July 24), Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said that the government will introduce a new advertisement policy that would be in tune with Delhi and Mumbai. This would be designed to end what he called the ``poster culture especially in Bangalore city’’.

The government is also contemplating hoarding-free zones in Bangalore in key areas.

The Chief Minister’s announcement came after members in the Council pointed out that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was receiving revenue of only Rs 12.78 lakh as revenue from the road leading to the new airport. As per records only 38 hoardings are present on both sides of the road. But in reality the road has over 100 hoardings. There have also been allegations of corruption within the BBMP accusing them of being hand in glove with the ``hoarding mafia’’.

Various party members demanded that rigorous laws be put in place so that the government earns the revenue that it deserves. Each hoarding on the new airport road should earn revenue of Rs 60 lakh if the bylaws are strictly implemented. A party member form JDS alleged that 12 persons control billboards in Bangalore and they were in collusion with BBMP officials buy the contract for a pittance like Rs 4,000 and sub contract the same for Rs 4 lakh per month.

In a related development, the government has ordered the BBMP to remove all hoardings and posters of leaders and politicians from around the Vidhana Soudha.

It may be recalled that the current bylaws governing the OOH was introduced only recently -- in July 1, 2006.