K. Govindarajan, J.

1. In all these writ petitions the petitioners are eager to retain the hoardings erected either in the public places or buildings belonging to the Government, Local bodies, corporations or in the private places, without being checked or regulated by any legislation.

2. The petitioners in W.P.Nos.11453 of 1998, 10747 of 1998 9908 of 1999 and 6808 of 2000 have filed the said writ petitions challenging provisions of Act 51 of 1998.

3. The petitioner-association in W.P.No.18928 of 1999 has challenged the public notices issued by the Commissioner, Corporation of Chennai as notified on 4.10.99 informing that the hoardings for which applications were not filed would be treated as unauthorised hoardings and the same will be removed exercising powers under Section 326 of Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act.

4. Thepetitioners in W.P.Nos.16614, 16618, 16621, 16631 and 16651 of 2000, 17888, 18218, 18219, 18220, 18646, 18647,18661 & 18662 of 2000, 901, 908, 909, 937, 938, 947, 1609 and 1610 of 2001 have challenged the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2000.

5. Before dealing with grievances and contentions of the petitioners, it is beneficial to narrate