After Sambhajinagar civic body, power utility gives ultimatum for hoarding removal

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) on Tuesday gave an ultimatum of four days to remove illegal banners and hoardings displayed on electricity poles, distribution boxes and transformers in different parts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.Appealing to political parties, different groups and individuals concerned to take off such unauthorised displays on their own, the state power utility said criminal proceedings will be initiated if any of its infrastructure is found used for illegal displays.Earlier on Monday, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) had issued an ultimatum of 24 hours for taking down illegal hoardings and banners following the death of its staffer due to electrocution on Feb 21."Unauthorised displays on MSEDCL infrastructure pose a risk of disruption in power supply, besides safety to humans. It is also noticed that such displays often prove a hurdle during maintenance and repair works," a release issued by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar zone of MSEDCL said.The state power utility also wanted different cables of private cable and internet services — placed illegally on electricity poles — taken down."Criminal cases will be registered against the elements involved for illegal displays on MSEDCL infrastructure and also for illegal placement of cables after Feb 28. The enabling provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003 and other applicable laws will be invoked while taking action," the state power utility said.