Bombay HC Upholds Civic Bodies' Power to Levy Hoarding Fees

• Bombay High Court affirmed civic bodies' power to levy fees for granting or renewing sky-sign, hoarding, and billboard licenses.
• The ruling dismissed petitions challenging these fees, stating there was no illegality in municipal corporations fixing and enhancing them.
• The court emphasized that regulation is crucial for hoardings, as they determine city skylines and involve public interest, preventing chaotic situations.
• The Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act empowers municipal commissioners to issue and renew licenses with fees sanctioned by the corporation.
• The HC rejected claims of excessive fees, noting modern hoardings' transformation and the challenge for civic bodies to regulate them.

Why It Matters: Bombay HC affirms civic power to levy hoarding fees, shaping city aesthetics and revenue.