Jalandhar's tough love: Litterbugs beware, on-the-spot fine up to Rs 50,000 awaits

To strengthen enforcement against littering or illegal dumping of waste, the district administration and Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar have launched an advanced on-the-spot challan system, now supported by POS (Point of Sale) machines, for immediate payment.

This step is the extension of the ongoing campaign against unauthorised garbage dumping and improper waste disposal across the city.

To ensure stricter implementation of solid waste management rules, sanitary inspectors have now been empowered to issue challans instantly at the scene of the violation. Violations such as open littering, non-segregation of waste or disposal at unauthorised sites will be documented with geo-tagged photographic evidence. Fines ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 50,000 will be imposed, depending on the severity of the violation.

To make the process more seamless and transparent, the challan amount can now be paid on the spot via POS machines. If the violator fails to pay the fine immediately, the matter will be forwarded to court for legal proceedings under the applicable laws.

"Citizens are urged to segregate their domestic and commercial waste properly and hand it over only to authorised municipal sanitation workers. Public participation is crucial in ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and garbage-free Jalandhar," the officials said.

This special initiative was formally launched on August 15, on the occasion of Independence Day, by Mayor Vaneet Dhir. Cleanliness is not just the responsibility of the municipal corporation — it is a shared duty of every citizen, the MC officials further mentioned.