Kerala High Court Suggests Creation Of Website To Allow Citizens To Report Construction Of Unauthorised Banners/Boards
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (8th January) suggested the creation of a website where citizens can upload complaints about unauthorized boards erected in the State. The observation was made by Justice Devan Ramachandran while hearing a 2018 plea concerning unauthorized boards/ banners in public places.
The amicus curiae Advocate Harish Vasudevan informed the Court that at present, there is no system by which citizens can upload their complaint regarding unauthorised boards erected in public places. The Amicus also informed the Court that the phone numbers of the Secretaries of the Local Self Government Institutions who are responsible for removal of these boards are either unavailable or unreachable.
The Court ordered Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Local Self Government Department to inform the court whether the website can be set up. The Court also suggested displaying in the website, the details of the authorities who will be responsible for resolving the complaints.
The Amicus Curiae informed the Court that there was substantial compliance of earlier orders of the Court directing the removal of unauthorized boards/ banners/ festoon. The Court said that for the 'war can be won' only if there is proper follow-up action.
Case Title: St. Stephen's Malankara Catholic Church v State of Kerala and Others
Case No: WP(C) 22750/ 2018