Garbage on plots, 50 more get notices for defying order

The Jalandhar district administration had launched a campaign to clear garbage heaps from vacant plots. Under this initiative, over 50 notices have been issued to plot owners for negligence in maintaining cleanliness.

Over 250 notices were sent to plot owners about 20 days ago. Now, the administration has issued more than 300 notices, including 50 new ones.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal stated that action is being taken against the plot owners who fail to keep their plots clean, with over 300 notices already issued. He noted that many plot owners are cooperating with the administration, with owners not only cleaning their plots, but also constructing boundary walls. Dr Aggarwal strictly instructed other plot owners to clean their plots and make boundary walls to prevent the spread of diseases during the ongoing monsoon season.

He added that over 60 complaints related to plot cleanliness have been resolved through the Action Helpline WhatsApp number 9646-222-555. The Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has addressed majority of these issues, with senior officials following up on the progress, the DC said.

Aggarwal directed all plot owners across the district to clean their plots, keeping in mind public health safety and the risk of diseases during the monsoon season.

"Additionally, to curb illegal garbage dumping, plot owners must construct boundary walls or fences around their plots. The failure to comply will result in government departments undertaking the cleaning, with the expenses recovered as fines from the plot owners. Non-payment of fines will lead to a red entry in the revenue records. Furthermore, legal action will be initiated under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita-2023, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including fines and police action," he said.

The DC stressed that these measures are entirely in the interest of public health to protect residents from diseases, especially during the monsoon when vector-borne diseases can spread rapidly. He reaffirmed the Jalandhar administration’s commitment to ensuring a clean environment and safeguarding the health of residents.