In compliance with the direction of the order of the Bombay High Court in August to the State Government to take “Strict Cognizance” against Gram Panchayats granting “illegal” permissions for erecting giant hoardings, the Maharashtra State Rural Development Department has passed a Government Resolution (GR).

Additional Government Pleader Savina Crasto submitted an affidavit of compliance dated December 6, 2024, along with a copy of the GR and has affirmed the bench of Justice A.S. Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata that action would be taken against those committing illegal acts.

The matter is now kept on January 7, 2025, as the Additional Government Pleader Savina Crasto sought time to place on record the affidavit of compliance.

The GR bearing “शासन पहरपत्रक क्र. व्हीपीएम-2024/प्र.क्र.133/पंरा-4” issued on 26th November primarily emphasises that the Gram Panchayats must act within the limits of the Gram Panchayat Act, 1959 and highlights that Gram Panchayats are not to issue no-objection certificates or permissions for advertisements, hoardings, or billboards within their jurisdiction. It also mandates all Gram Panchayats to refrain from granting such permissions, with a warning of serious actions for non-compliance. Further, it directs to take immediate action to remove unauthorised hoardings and billboards in all Gram Panchayat jurisdictions across the state.

Case Title: Yash Raj Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors., W.P.(Civil)/8657/2024

Tap Here For The Government Resolution