Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday criticised local body secretaries, asking them to resign if they are afraid to remove unauthorised boards and banners in public places. The bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran noted that if the illegal hoardings are not removed within the deadline set, a fine will be imposed on the secretaries.

If there is an obstruction to the removal of the boards, the court must be informed. The court clarified to the local self-government department (LSGD) principal secretary, Sharmila Mary Joseph, that what is required here is action, not explanations.

The secretaries informed the court that political party workers obstruct the removal of the boards. The court emphasised that the issue here is the rule of law, not the interests of a few individuals.

The court instructed the principal secretary to provide a report by next Wednesday. The report should include the number of illegal boards and flags removed, the political parties responsible, the FIRs filed against these parties, and those registered for obstructing pathways and roads.

The directive to remove illegal boards applies to ministers and MLAs as well, the court stated.

The court made the remarks while hearing a plea concerning unauthorised boards and banners in public places.

Compliance

Amicus Curiae Harish Vasudevan informed the court that its directive has been followed in the Corporation and Municipality areas, but the same has not been observed in Panchayats.

The government reported that 1.75 lakh boards had been removed, and a fine of Rs 98 lakh had been imposed, of which Rs 30 lakh has been collected. Legal action has been initiated in 22 cases. Currently, the fine imposed is Rs 5,000. The principal secretary also informed that the matter of increasing the fine is under consideration.

The matter will be reconsidered on December 18.