The MTPD had removed over a thousand flashboards as well as hoarding boards, including 18 billboards having offensive pictures, after Prime Minister´s Office (PMO) directed Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), MTPD, Nepal Electricity Authority and Nepal Telecom to take out the billboards that were placed haphazardly.[break]
Advertisers argued the PMO´s directive was to remove only the offensive hoarding boards that were contributing to accidents.
"We condemn the MTPD´s move as it removed commercial hoarding boards and also boards with messages of public interest and promoted Nepal Tourism Year campaign," said Naresh Babu Shrestha, president of Signage Association of Nepal.
Officials said KMC had issued a letter to the association on Monday, giving them three days to remove hoarding boards with offensive contents. “However, MTPD swung into the action on the same day and removed even the boards placed at private homes," said Shrestha.
The association has strongly demanded the KMC and other agencies to compensate them for the loss.
Meanwhile, KMC has agreed to compensate agencies for the loss.
"KMC has agreed to compensate the concerned agencies for the loss,” Shrestha informed.
KMC and Signage Association of Nepal have even formed a six-member investigating committee, including three representatives from each organization, on Wednesday to determine the actual loss.
Advertising Association of Nepal (AAN) said most of the hoarding boards removed on Tuesday belonged to Ace Travels.com and those were meant to make ´Nepal Tourism Year2011´ a success.
“We are always open to working with the government to manage outdoor promotional materials. Sadly, its unilateral decision has hurt us and inflicted unwanted loss to the government itself," said AAN President Raj Kumar Bhattarai.
Officials of Ace Travels.com said they have yet to calculate the loss. "We are still gathering information on how many boards were removed. We have also acquired a stay order from the Supreme Court to stop removal of our boards," said Sushil Baniya, manager of the company.
The stay order has been issued in the name of home ministry, KMC and MTPD.
Baniya said the company will seek the MTPD to reinstate the boards from the spots they were removed and also seek compensation for the loss inflicted.
Related story
Compensation controversy affects a national pride road project
