Hyderabad:
Total ban on flexies needed: The High Court regularly raps the GHMC on the knuckles. But this seems to have left the civic body’s knuckles ‘numb’. The GHMC has done little in 48 hours since the HC order to remove illegal flexi-hoardings were issued.
The High Court orders to remove the illegal hoardings should pave the way for a permanent ban on the hoardings. 0 have become notorious ‘eye pollutants’. They have even caused a few deaths, after falling on unsuspecting victims.
The lawmakers have failed to ban them as flexies suits their publicity needs. Whether it is a birthday or a political meeting or some leader wishing citizens on a festival, the first thing they do is fill the city with flexi-boards and cutouts.
The recent elevation of some MLAs to the post of ministers saw our city become an eyesore. There were hoardings wishing them on all roads. Even public utility signboards were not spared.
The law demands that due permission be taken before putting up flexi-hoardings, but no one cares. Our city seems to have no control over the usage of flexies and their numbers are increasing. Roughly around 5- 10 tonnes of flexies are put in the GHMC garbage every day. The volume is expected to rise with the GHMC and Cantonment elections around the corner.
Environmentalists have time and again warned that the flexis are a double-potency health hazard, but no lawmaker has ever thought it fit to ban the flexies.
The approach of GHMC of burning the used flexis in the open is doing more harm than good to the environment. When burnt, the flexies adverse toxic fumes that have effects on health. GHMC and the Pollution Control Board have failed to control this menace.
What is ignored is that the flexis are made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC which is a proven threat to the environment, as it is not bio-degradable. Flexis also have chemical paints containing volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which are proven carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Continued exposure to these VOCs can put citizens at risk of health hazards including eye, nose and throat irritations; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.
Civilised societies around the world have switched over to flexies made of starch, which are safer and are bio-degradable. They also use vegetable paints. It is time that politicians here see themselves on starch flexies instead of plastic flexis and bring in a law to ban PVC flexies. The need of the hour is not about permissions, but a complete ban on use of PVC flexies. Usage of cloth banners with safe paints should be encouraged. Dr G.V. Rao, DNA Analyst, General secretary, GAASA.
Ban statues, not posters
Wall-writing and posters are the best way to reach the common man. Though the order for removal of unauthorised statues is widely welcomed by all sections of society, a majority of people believe that the ban on posters and wall writings is a bit harsh. This is because, every sector including the government and entertainment sectors depends on this medium to reach the targeted audience. Every time there is an election, the political parties rely on wall- writings and posters to attract the voters.
Despite the world having adopted hi-tech gadgets, wall-writings and posters are still a hit in rural India. The livelihood of many people is dependent on writing and pasting the posters, and banning them will deprive these people of their daily wages.
Today, wall posters and writings play a big role in promotion of businesses and services offered by individuals and institutions. The reach of this medium is extensive. It is a fact that today people are adopting new smart technologies, but most people still like to get information from posters and wall art.
Small business owners use this medium to promote their products and businesses as advertisement via other media is very expensive. There are other ways and means to check the menace of flexies and hoardings.
Normally, political parties put up posters, flexies and hoardings during events like party meetings or to celebrate the appointment of their leaders to some key posts or during major festivals like Dasara, Diwali, Sankranti, Ramzan, Christmas, New Year etc. They are valid only for a stipulated period. They can be removed soon after those events or meetings are over. The GHMC officials can remove such posters, flexies and hoardings immediately, but they turn a blind eye to the problem.
Though there could be some reasons like the officials coming under political pressure, the government can initiate measures to ensure that no lobbying or exerting pressure on officials on such occasions is allowed. Posters, flexies and hoardings should not be equated with statues. They are different. Statues set up on roads cause severe inconvenience to the public as they occupy space in the middle of the road. But posters, flexies and hoardings are different. They do not occupy space on the road. They are mostly confined to road dividers.
I request the government to file a review petition in the High Court by submitting alternatives that can be considered to check this menace instead of imposing a blanket ban on posters. Bonthu Rammohan, TRS, State youth wing president
