Two FIRs against illegal hoardings in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The civic body registered two separate cases till Wednesday evening as part of its announced all-out action against illegal hoardings and displays within the municipal limits of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city.The establishments that faced action include hotels, and their owners were booked under the provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, and the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949."We had given an ultimatum of 24 hours to voluntarily remove the hoardings, following which a couple of FIRs were registered by Tuesday. After this action, we expect owners of illegal displays to pull down the hoardings and banners on their own. The crackdown will be resumed more vigorously in the days to come," a senior official from the anti-encroachment cell of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) said.The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited also gave an ultimatum till Feb 25 to remove illegal banners and hoardings displayed on electricity poles, distribution boxes and transformers in different parts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The state power utility warned of criminal action under the Electricity Act, 2003, and other applicable laws for failing to toe its order.Both the local civic body and MSEDCL cracked whips against illegal displays following the death of one CSMC staffer due to electrocution while removing an illegal hoarding on Feb 21.