Shimla, April 11 -- The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to strictly implement Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985, in all newly constituted Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), making defacement of public spaces a punishable offence with provisions for both imprisonment and fine.

The Act, initially enforced in Shimla in 1985 and extended to several municipal areas in 1991, prohibits unauthorised display of advertisements, posters, notices, pictures and signs on public properties such as buildings, walls, trees and open spaces. It mandates prior written permission from local authorities for any such display.

Until now, the law had not been enforced in ULBs formed after 1991 due to administrative expansion. ...