Punjab Cricket Association finds itself in a tough situation as the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has put a fine of INR 1.1 crore for unauthorized IPL advertising.
Flex boards and advertisements that were not approved by the Municipal Corporation appeared near I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali CGP.
Such advertisements featured IPL 2024 matches, which are not allowed to be promoted in the area of the stadium according to the advertising restrictions in the city. The decision of the Municipal Corporation was fast, and news about all unauthorized placements was responded to. The events prove advertisement rules are essential and have to be strictly followed.
The MC responded to the breach by giving a demand notice to PCA. The notice had requirements to settle the stipulated INR 1.1 crore as the amount of an advertisement fee for legal placements. The payment has to be made before April 30. The show-cause notice was also given to the PCA president with queries about why criminal proceedings should not be initiated under the provisions of the Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order of 1952. All questions in the notice were strictly related to the requirements and violations of the Order.
The notice contained the clauses related to permission required for advertisements and restrictions on placing them in the line of vision of the drivers. The response is also required before April 30.
It is recommended that the PCA should settle the amount of the requirement before the date and provide a satisfactory response to the show-cause notice in the prescribed period. The response should be based on why PCA acted against the constraints of the Advertisement Control Order.
