KSRTC warns of FIRs as public remove advertisements from buses and shelters

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has decided to lodge first information reports (FIRs) against individuals found removing advertisements from its buses and bus shelters after some persons allegedly damaged property while attempting to take down posters.

The move comes even as KSRTC has directed all its divisions to remove advertisements that directly or indirectly promote the consumption of tobacco products within 15 days. The directive was issued following instructions from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who set a clear deadline for ensuring that no such advertisements are displayed on public transport buses across the State.

Public outrage

This directive came following public outrage over tobacco-related advertisements displayed on KSRTC buses, with people in several places taking it upon themselves to remove such advertisements.

According to KSRTC officials, while the corporation has begun the process of removing tobacco-related advertisements, there have been repeated instances where individuals have removed not only these advertisements but also others unrelated to tobacco. In several cases, officials claim, this has resulted in damage to buses and bus shelters.

Deadline

In response, KSRTC managing director Akram Pasha on February 7 issued a circular instructing divisional officials to initiate legal action against those who remove advertisements without authorisation and cause damage to corporation property. The circular states that FIRs should be lodged in local police stations wherever such incidents are reported and that appropriate action must be taken to prevent recurrence.

KSRTC officials have reiterated that the removal of advertisements promoting tobacco use is being carried out in an organised manner by the corporation itself. Mr. Reddy has given time until February 15 to ensure that no advertisements encouraging tobacco consumption remain on buses or at bus shelters.

Earlier, officials were directed by the Transport Minister to carry out follow-up inspections and submit a compliance report to the KSRTC head office by February 18, detailing the steps taken to remove prohibited advertisements.