Concert organiser told to deposit fine by December 17 to avoid legal action

CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has slapped a whopping penalty of ₹1.16 crore on the organiser of Punjabi singer Karan Aujla's December 7 concert in Chandigarh for illegally displaying advertisements at the event venue.

- Mandeep Kaur Narula

In its notice to M/s Scope Entertainment and Team Entertainment Innovation, MC said, "As many as nine boards/banners/hoardings of different sizes, measuring total area of 916 sq ft, were found displayed at the Exhibition Ground of sector 34 without prior permission from the competent authority and violated the norms of Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order, 1954.

As such you are liable to pay the advertisement fees, along with penalty...due to this violation."

As per Clause Number 4 of Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order, 1954, no person can, without the written permission of chief administrator, erect, exhibit, fix or retain any advertisement, whether now existing or not, upon any land/building, wall, holding or structure, the notice explained.

"You are therefore directed to deposit ₹1,15,60,191 on account of advertisement fee, penalty, interest and GST. You are directed to pay the amount till December 17, failing which action as per prevailing rules/law shall be taken. If the amount is not paid within the stipulated period, interest of 18% per annum, compounded annually on advertisement fee and penalty shall be charged," the notice read.