Urban development department suspends PMC hoarding policy

The state government has suspended the hoarding policy of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Under the policy, the city is divided into four parts and monopoly rights of displaying advertisements on hoardings in these zones would be given to highest bidders.
President of Pune Outdoor Advertising Association (POAA), Balasaheb Ganjave, on Friday informed reporters about the state urban development department's (UDD) decision.

Meanwhile, municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak told reporters that the policy was suspended by the state government as the civic body had not issued the notification and invited suggestions and objections.

The procedure could be completed within thirty days.

The general body (GB) of the PMC had passed a resolution on February 18, 2011 approving the hoarding policy. A writ petition was filed in the Bombay high court challenging the policy.

Following a directive by the court, the urban development department conducted a hearing on the issue in the presence of representatives of POAA and the PMC.

The urban development department has issued an order saying that the resolution passed by the GB has been suspended by it.