Chennai: The state government on Friday informed the Madras high court that 261 notices were already served to recognized political parties in 31 districts for removal of defacement on open places and 300 notices have now been served to the registered political parties in the districts.
R.Jaya, special secretary to government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply department stated this in her affidavit filed before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.Sundar when the petitions filed by Elephant G.Rajendran and Traffic Ramaswamy came up for hearing.
She said a committee of secretaries under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary to government, home, prohibition and Excise department was constituted to monitor the progress in removing defacement on open places.
As resolved by the committee in its meeting, all the district collectors through the Principal secretary/Commissioner of Revenue administration have been requested to continue the drive of removal of defacement effectively. In so far as Chennai was concerned the Commissioner of police was requested to do the same, she added.
She said the DGP has reported that during the period from June 1 to November 30, 464 cases have been registered against the defacement of government buildings, walls and natural resources. The Commissioner of Police has reported that notice relating to removal of defacement has been issued to all the 9 political parties and 82 registered parties in Chennai.
The deputy commissioner (revenue and finance) has reported that during September 1 and November 24, 216 unauthorized hoardings, 1149 digital banners and 5167 wall painting and wall posters have been removed in all the 15 zones of the corporation, she added.
She said regarding removal of defacement in Government buildings, walls and natural resources in 31 districts, 25,896 defacements were identified and of which, 23,270 were removed. The committee was actively working to implement the orders of this court, she added. The bench posted to February 10, further hearing of the case.
