Kanpur OOH industry seeking extension of HC stay on media ban

The issue came to the fore two years ago when the civic body came up with a new ad policy and effected a steep hike in ad taxes, apart from introducing certain norms that were prejudicial to the interests of the outdoor advertising industry

Media owners in Kanpur are expectantly waiting for an extension of the Allahabad High Court stay on the Kanpur Municipal Corporation’s ruling for ban on outdoor advertising in the city until a new advertising policy was implemented. The High Court hearing is scheduled today.

The issue came to the fore two years ago when the civic body came up with a new ad policy and effected a steep hike in ad taxes, apart from introducing certain norms that were prejudicial to the interests of the outdoor advertising industry. The Kanpur Outdoor Advertising Association sought relief from the Court and obtained a Court stay on the ruling. The period of that stay is now coming to an end, and so the industry is seeking an extension of the stay. The civic body’s contention is that outdoor advertising in the city should be suspended until a new ad policy is ushered in, but industry is not clear about when the new policy will come into effect.

“The drafting and implementation of a new policy will take time. We are not sure when the policy will be introduced. We can’t shut our businesses until then. We will try to extend the stay on the ban to continue our business,” said Rajib Dutta, Director, Day & Night Publicity & Advertising.

Rajib, who is also a committee member of the Kanpur Outdoor Advertising Association, added that they are not very sure about the upcoming policy as the authority isn’t consulting the industry on matters concerning outdoor advertising in the city.