Punishment for Defacing Public Areas in Himachal
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Synopsis
The Himachal Pradesh government has enforced the provisions of the Open Places Act of 1985 in new urban local bodies, making defacement punishable by imprisonment and fines, to preserve the aesthetic beauty of the hill state.
Key Takeaways
- Defacement of public spaces is now a punishable offense.
- The Act was originally established in 1985.
- It regulates advertisements in public areas.
- Written permission is required for displays.
- Newly established local bodies are now included.
Shimla, April 10 (NationPress) To safeguard the visual appeal of the hill state, the Himachal Pradesh government announced on Thursday the implementation of the Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act of 1985 in newly formed urban local bodies, making it a punishable act that carries both imprisonment and fines.
The Act, initially created to combat the unauthorized posting of advertisements in public areas, seeks to prevent the defacement of public spaces by controlling the distribution of posters, notices, images, and signs on buildings, walls, trees, and other public properties.
According to the Act's provisions, no advertisement may be displayed without obtaining written consent from the relevant local authority, as stated in an official announcement.
When first enacted in 1985, the Act applied to the Municipal Corporation of Shimla.
In May 1991, it was expanded through a notification to include various municipal committees, notified area committees, and municipal corporations statewide.
However, the notification did not encompass the new urban local bodies formed after 1991 due to administrative upgrades and expansions.
To address this oversight and ensure consistent enforcement, the state government has now applied the Act to the previously excluded urban local bodies this month.
These include the Municipal Corporations of Dharamsala, Palampur, Mandi, Solan, Baddi, Hamirpur, and Una; Municipal Councils of Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Sujanpur Tihra, Dehra, Jawalamukhi, Nagrota Bagwan, Manali, Jogindernagar, Nerchowk, Sarkaghat, Rohroo, Parwanoo, Mehatpur, Santokhgarh, Sunni, Nadaun, Baijnath, and Paprola; and Nagar Panchayats of Jawali, Shahpur, Nirmand, Karsog, Chirgaon, Nerwa, Kandaghat, Amb, Tahliwal, Barsar, Sandhole, Dharampur, Baldwara, Bhoranj, Khundian, Nagrota Surian, Kotla, Jhandutta, Swarghat, Banikhet, Kunihar, Bangana, and Shillai.
Through this enforcement, the government aims to uphold the visual integrity and cleanliness of towns and cities while discouraging unauthorized and unattractive displays that detract from the region's natural beauty.
