Posters dot govt property, admn wakes up on last day

SHIMLA : At the time when one of the oldest municipal corporation (MC) is set to go to the polls on June 16, posters, stickers can be spotted on several government buildings and other properties in state capital Shimla.

With less than a day left for polling, district administration directed Shimla MC to remove such material. But surprisingly, there was no complaint filed with the authorities regarding the defacement of government or private property. Even government department, including MC, did not file any complaint. however, the deputy commissioner took the suo moto and directed corporation to remove posters from government properties.

During election, supporters of candidates paste handbills, stickers or posters on government as well as private properties.

Sometimes, supporters refrain from pasting such material on private property fearing complaints or annoyance of the property owner. But government property is carelessly painted and pasted with election material. “Posters can be seen on government properties in every municipal ward. The supporters have not even spared buildings, vehicles, retaining walls, dumpers,” an MC officer said.

District administration had earlier directed to remove the campaign material but MC staff was busy in election preparation. In Engine Ghar ward of Shimla MC, the councillor office wall is covered with the posters of candidates. On being asked about defacement of government property, a supporter said, “I don’t know whether it was a government office.”

Mostly, these banners and posters have been hanged and pasted just to show leaders that party workers of the area were working actively.

But neither Shimla’s deputy commissioner office nor the state election commission received any complaints regarding this.

Even one requires permission of the private-property owner before pasting or hanging campaign material.

“No one takes permission. Our house is located at the main path and everyone comes and paste posters on its walls,” Harish Chauhan, a Sanjauli resident said. “I have asked everyone who comes to me seeking vote and support not to deface my wall but the result is contrary,” he added.

A senior functionary of the Shimla MC, who wished not to be named, said the staff is busy on election duty.

“But MC should be reported about the defacement of its properties,” he said.

Retaining walls of Shimla town were recently maintained and cleaned but different political parties even student outfits have painted graffiti on it.

Shimla DC Rohan Chand Thakur said there was no complaint about it. “We will take action in accordance with law if any one writes to us,” he said.