Pune : 'Hoarding King' Punit Balan lands in legal trouble for putting up unauthorised flex
For years, Punit Balan has been financially supporting various Dahihandi and Ganeshotsav Mandals in Pune. In return, these Mandals have allowed the branding of Balan"s Oxyrich water bottles in their areas. The advertisements have become ubiquitous, appearing on nearly every street corner in the central areas of Pune city.
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The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a notice to businessman Punit Balan for allegedly putting up advertisements at various places during the Dahi Handi festival.
Unauthorised hoardings, boards, banners, flex, etc. were strictly prohibited during the Dahi Handi festival. As per the information provided, any defacement of public property by putting up unauthorised advertisements is subject to a penalty.
By the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, Section 248, 295, and the Regulation and Control of Display of Advertisement Rules, 2022, it is mandatory to obtain proper prior permission from the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Furthermore, as per the provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Diversion of Property Act, 1995, and the Bombay High Court Public Interest Litigation No. 155/2011 Suswarajya Foundation and Government of Maharashtra and others, it has been observed that the order dated 31.1.2017 has been violated.
As per the information received, approximately 2,500 unauthorised billboards (8 x 4) belonging to Oxyrich Company were found to have defaced public property by being erected without any prior permission. These billboards cover an area of 80,000 sq. ft. and are subject to a daily penalty of Rs. 40 per sq. ft. for ten days, as mentioned in the footnotes. Therefore, a total penalty amount of Rs. 3,20,00,000 is required to be paid as a consequence of this violation.
However, a total amount of Rs. 3,20,00,000 in penalty (defacement fee) for unlicensed advertisement by you should be promptly paid to the treasury of Pune Municipal Corporation within 2 days of receipt of this notice. It should be noted that if the said amount is not paid within the prescribed period, legal action will be proposed as per the rules, and the amount will be recovered from income tax.
