Penalty fixed for littering, not segregating waste

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 25

After the implementation of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Project, the municipal corporation is now able to impose a penalty of Rs 250 to Rs 25,000 for littering, open defecation and dumping garbage.

The MC Municipal Solid Waste Management Project has been implemented after the nod from the general house. The MC House had constituted a committee to set the amount of penalty for various violations. As per the provisions of penalty for violations, the MC will impose a penalty of Rs 250 for not segregating the dry and wet garbage at home. The residents have to pay Rs 250 for open defecation and even defecation by pet in streets. Spitting and littering in public places will also cost the same amount as penalty.

In case vegetable or fruit vendors do not use bins, they have to pay Rs 500 as penalty. The MC announced that putting the debris on the roadside or on a vacant plot would be punishable and the house owner or the contractor has to pay Rs 500 for this violation. Barbers would also be charged with Rs 500 for dumping garbage on the roadside.

Hotels and restaurants have to pay Rs 1,000 for dumping waste on the roadside. Littering by any commercial establishments would cost Rs 1,000. Educational institutes, sweets makers, slaughterhouses and meat sellers would also be fined for littering and they have to pay Rs 1,000 as penalty. In case cow-dung is found, the owner of the cattle would be fined Rs 1,000. Marriage palaces and party halls will have to pay Rs 5,000 if they dump garbage on the roadside.

In case of industrial and commercial waste, the MC would impose a penalty of up to Rs 25,000 under the Municipal Solid Waste Management bylaws. Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu said the MC would make the public aware of the new bylaws and would start imposing fines for violation. He urged the residents to cooperate with the MC and keep the city neat and clean to avoid the penalty.