Sravan demands government to amend GOMs 84 and permit the cancelled billboards
BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan demanded that the Congress government amend GO 84, alleging it harms the outdoor media sector. He sought restoration of nearly 3,000 cancelled billboards and warned of legal action if the government fails to address the concerns
Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan demanded that the Congress government amend the GOMs 84 as it was against the interests of outdoor media agencies and permit the resumption of nearly 3,000 billboards that were cancelled.
Issuing such a major government order without consulting the agencies and workers associated with the outdoor media sector was against democratic principles. The cancelled billboards should be permitted to resume operations considering the livelihoods of lakhs of families, he said.
“If the Congress government does not consider our pleas, we will approach the courts and launch a legal battle on behalf of those affected,” Sravan said.
Members of the Telangana Outdoor Media Owners Association met the BRS MLC on Saturday and explained the problems being faced by the outdoor media sector due to GO No. 84 issued by the State government.
Later speaking to media persons, the BRS MLC said that GOMs 84 would affect the livelihoods of lakhs of families. Around 300 to 400 agencies were currently operating in the outdoor media sector across the State, providing direct employment to more than one lakh workers.
He alleged that GOMs 84 was a “backdoor order” aimed at handing over the outdoor media sector to a few select players. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was attempting to benefit his relatives and close associates by transferring an industry worth hundreds of crores to just three or four companies, the BRS MLC alleged.
He recalled that the previous government had issued GO 68 to regulate large hoardings to ensure public safety and convenience. Under those regulations, hoardings above 15 metres in height were restricted, particularly within Hyderabad city limits.
Sravan also alleged that illegal activities worth hundreds of crores were taking place in the name of LED hoardings despite High Court orders.
As per a 2007 High Court judgment, LED advertisements cannot be installed without the court’s permission. Yet, hundreds of LED boards have reportedly been installed around KBR Park without any action from the authorities, he alleged.
