The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has launched a significant crackdown on illegal outdoor advertisements across the city, aiming to plug major revenue leaks. In a surprising turn, the civic body has now set its sights on the Chandigarh Police department itself for violations.
Police Department in the Dock for Unauthorized Ads
In a formal letter addressed to the UT Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the Municipal Corporation has called out the police department for displaying unauthorized commercial advertisements on barricades under its jurisdiction. The MC states that this action is a clear violation of the Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order of 1954, which mandates prior approval from the Chief Administrator for any such displays.
The civic body's notice demands specific details from the police, including:
- Complete information on all such advertisements currently displayed.
- Copies of any agreements signed between the Chandigarh Police and the private advertisers.
The MC has given the police department a one-month deadline to respond with the required information.
Financial Stakes and Legal Consequences
The move is not merely procedural; it carries significant financial implications. The Municipal Corporation has explicitly warned that violations will attract:
- Standard advertisement fees.
- Substantial penalties.
- Accrued interest on dues.
- Applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Sources indicate that this notice follows a comprehensive city-wide survey conducted by the MC. The survey reportedly uncovered that revenue losses from such unauthorized advertisements run cumulatively into crores of rupees. The letter to the police includes photographic evidence of barricades carrying commercial ads, serving as concrete proof of the alleged violations.
A Push to Boost Municipal Revenue
This crackdown is part of a broader, intensified effort by the financially strained Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to bolster its revenue streams. Outdoor advertising has been identified as a key area with untapped potential. The MC Commissioner has directed officials to take strict measures to collect all authorized revenues from advertisements.
The urgency of this drive was recently underscored by an audit report from the Principal Director of Audit (Central) in Chandigarh. The report flagged the critical need for the MC to effectively tap into defined revenue sources, including outdoor advertisements, to generate additional crores for the civic body.
Despite repeated attempts by media outlets to seek a comment or response from senior police officials regarding the MC's notice, no official statement has been issued by the UT Police department so far. The situation places a spotlight on inter-departmental accountability and the municipal corporation's resolve to enforce its bylaws uniformly, even against other government agencies.
