{
  "id": 1372409,
  "title": "Kerala High Court reprimands State over its failure to collect fines for unauthorised flex boards, banners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/kerala-high-court-reprimands-state-over-its-failure-to-collect-fines",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T21:21:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-high-court-reprimands-state-over-its-failure-to-collect-fines-for-unauthorised-flex-boards-banners/article71353477.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kerala High Court has reprimanded state authorities for their failure to enforce penalties and collect fines for the use of unauthorized flags, boards, and other installations. The court lamented the loss of revenue due to non-compliance with its directive to impose a ₹5000 fine on each unauthorised board and installation. Justice Devan Ramachandran raised concerns during a review of a plea against visual pollution caused by flex boards, banners, and other illegal installations. The court pointed out a disparity between the number of removed flags, boards, and installations and the fines collected, as stated in reports from the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Corporations, as well as an affidavit sworn by the Chief Secretary of the State. The High Court criticized the authorities for failing to recover fines based on the number of installations. It held the Joint Directors of Urban Affairs accountable for not filing reports on the implementation of court orders and removal of unauthorized flex hoardings. Previously, the court had mandated all local self-government institutions to eliminate unauthorized hoardings and prevent further installations.",
  "summary": "Kerala High Court observed that the State was “losing valuable revenue” through non-compliance with its order to impose a fine of ₹5000 on each board and installation",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}