Littering fine may increase 10 times
According to the new proposed bylaws, the proposed fine on housing societies for littering the footpath adjacent to their premises is Rs10,000. Per offence.
The same amount applies to societies for non-segregation of waste into dry and wet. Non-segregation or improper dumping of construction and demolition debris will cost Rs20,000.
Pet owners’ beware: your pet’s you-know-what on the street or footpath will cost you Rs500 in fines. BMC’s new anti-littering byelaw states: “It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any pet animal to promptly scoop/ clean up any litter created by the animal on the street or any public place…” Feeding animals in non-designated areas will cost Rs 500.
Organisers of political gatherings, who don’t clean up after everybody’s left, will forfeit the deposit they paid to BMC to get space for the gathering and face a fine of Rs10,000 to 50,000. Sticking posters and painting on walls will also be fined. The proposed fine for spitting, urinating and defecating on the street is Rs500.
But BMC has less than 150 people to issue fine tickets. It will not be able to make daily checks. Surprise checks will be the assistant commissioners’ responsibility.
Anyone who can’t pay the fine will have to do community service with BMC such as cleaning graffiti or sweeping roads.
Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) RR Markandey said the proposal was to be passed on Monday, but the Crawford issue took up the time. The next date is August 3.