Pay Rs 12,763 fine for urinating in open

Irritated by regular offenders urinating under the open sky near the old garbage collection centre (adjoining horticulture arena) at Sector 33, Safai Karamcharis have come up with a unique idea. They have pasted posters to inform the public about a specific amount of Rs 12,763 that a violator would have to pay for urinating in the open. And, notably, it has worked. “Since posters were pasted, none dares to come here to urinate. Earlier, many people, especially the passersby, used this place as an open public toilet. To stop them from doing so, such posters have been pasted, although the official fine for the offence is very low,” said a Municipal Corporation official seeking anonymity.

Interestingly, the amount of the fine was decided by one of the oldest civic body employee, who is no more. “This amount of Rs 12,763 is actually fine for littering in the open. Since, residents and Safai Karamcharis were so dismayed by the place being used as public convenience centre unethically, they decided to keep the same amount as fine for the offence. The suggestion was given by a former Safai Karamchari and everyone agreed to it,” the official said.

The centre is located right behind the Sector 33 petrol pump. “Safai Karamcharis on duty make sure to paste posters even if these fall or get wet during rain,” said Mukesh, a local resident.

Though a supervisor on other hand claimed that the fine was approved by the government, refused to give any proof.

“The area near fuel station was used as mini waste collection centre for Sector 33. However, after objections by residents living nearby, the collection centre has been shifted. Offenders used to come here to urinate or defecate in the open. So to warn such people, posters have been pasted here. After this, no one comes fearing that he/she may have to pay heavy fine for defecating in the open. The warning has been printed in Hindi language so that everyone can read it,” said a Safai Karamchari on morning duty.

The city known for its cleanliness across the nation has no specific fines for committing the offence. And, such unique warning posters do attract attention of passersby forcing them to at least click a picture and pass it on to the world.