Bengal assembly frames new Act for wall graffiti

Kolkata, Nov 23 (UNI) The West Bengal Assembly today passed Kolkata Municipal Corporation(Second Amendment) Bill, 2006 enacting a law that stipulated certain rules and punishment for political graffitis and commercial advertisements on the walls of private and commercial buildings.

Under the new act, political parties must obtain permission from the landlord before writing on the wall and give an undertaking to the concerned corporation or municiapality about the period the graffiti would exist.

As for putting up commercial hoardings, wall writing or neon advertisments on a commercial building, prior permission must be obtained from the corporation or municipality as well as the building owner while a security deposit of Rs 1,000 and a license fee must be paid with the local body authorities.

Any kind of advertisements on government buildings and educational institutions are already prohibited.

In the event of failure to comply with the rules, the political leaders or business house personnel, responsible for carrying out the wall campaign, will be punished with imprisonment that may extend up to six months or with a fine not exceeding Rs 50,000.

UNI KDG PL RN1842