Remove permanent flagpoles at public places: HC

Madurai: Madras high court on Thursday upheld the order passed by a single bench directing all political parties as well as communal and other outfits to remove permanent flagpoles erected by them at public places and govt land across Tamil Nadu.

Saying there is no infirmity in the order, a division bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy dismissed the appeal preferred by N Ammavasithevar of All India Vallarasu Forward Bloc of Madurai challenging the single bench order.

In January, the single bench observed that permanent flagpoles erected by parties, communal and religious organisations at bus stops, road junctions, street corners, in front of parks and adjacent to the road cause nuisance. They obstruct free flow of traffic, causing quarrels between political parties besides being dangerous to the life of the general public.

Hence, the judge directed all parties and organizations to remove their flagpoles at public places and on land belonging to national highways, state highways, corporations, municipalities, local bodies and other departments in the state within 12 weeks. If not, the authorities concerned shall remove them by issuing two weeks notice and recover the cost from the concerned people.

Henceforth, the authorities shall not grant permission to erect flagpoles permanently at the above mentioned public places and land. Political parties and other organizations are permitted to erect their permanent flagpoles on their own land after obtaining necessary permission from the authority concerned. The state govt shall frame rules for erection of flagpoles on private land, the single bench directed.

However, the bench directed the authorities to permit the political parties to erect their flagpoles temporarily without causing any damage to the land during their meetings, election campaign, conferences, procession, dharna and functions on payment of rent in advance in accordance with law.

The authorities must ensure that after the period of permission/licence is over, the person who was granted permission shall restore the public places to their original position by cleaning and filling up the holes, if any. If any damage is caused, the cost must be paid to the concerned authorities, the bench said.