Rs 1 crore fine slapped on Cyclothon organizer for illegal hoardings in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited ‘Saksham Cyclothon Bhubaneswar’, a first of its kind Cyclothon event scheduled to be held in Odisha capital tomorrow, has entangled in controversy as Rs 1 crore fine has been slapped on its organizer for putting up hoardings in prohibited areas.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today imposed a hefty fine of Rs 1 crore on Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), which is organising the event for erecting hoardings without taking permission from the civic authorities.

The BMC has sent a letter to PCRA in this regard asking it to deposit the amount within 7 days failing which action will be initiated against the organizer as per the law.

Confirming the news, BMC Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Srimant Mishra said that the fine was imposed on the cyclothon organiser for unauthorisedly putting up hoardings within BMC area.

“Take notice that you have unauthorisedly erected hoardings, 200 number of kiosks within BMC area for the period from 01/02/2018 to 03/02/2018 without any permission and payment of licence/advertisement fee violating the provisions of BMC Advertisement Regulation, 2006,” said a BMC notice, which is in possession of Odisha Sun Times, addressed to Debasish Ransingh, State Coordinator, PRCA.

“You are hereby directed to pay penalty of Rs 1 crore under regulation 10 (E) of BMC Advertisement Regulation, 2006 within 7 days from the date of issue of the notice failing which action will be initiated against you as demand paper under the provisions provided for Municipal Corporation Act, 2003,” it added.

On the hand, some people who had come to register themselves at Kalinga Stadium had ransacked the registration counters alleging they were denied free kit which included T-Shirt, Helmet, Wrist Band and Back bag.

This apart, the organisers have planned to distribute 50 cycles to the participants on the basis of a lucky draw.

PCRA in association with Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Oil India, NRL, GAIL, ONGC – MRPL and CPCL under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is organising the Cyclothon to create awareness on oil and gas conservation.

The Cyclothon is scheduled to be held at 5 AM tomorrow has been creating interest among many people from all walks of life.