Printers violating banner rules to be sealed

“Printing banners without the Corporation’s approval is against the trade licence rules of Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act. The civic body will cancel the trade licence and seal the press,” G Prakash, Chennai Corporation Commissioner, warned.

Recently, the civic body had conducted a meeting with printers of digital banners and clarified the norms to print such banners. It is mandatory for the printers to include approval number, approval period and details of their shop. “Public, who wish to erect banners in the city should get permission from the civic body,” a Corporation statement said.

Meanwhile, Prakash had already warned the public and political parties against erecting banners without permission.

“There is a High Court order banning banners in the city. If the court quashes the interim ban, the public and members of political parties should follow the norms already set by the Corporation,” the statement added.

Persons, who erect the banners without permission, would have to face a one-year imprisonment and Rs 5,000 penalty for each banner. The public should also get no-objection certificates (NOC) from the building owners and the police.

Also, using avenue trees to hang advertisements and placards would attract a fine of Rs 25,000 and a three-year imprisonment.