PMC squads will curb spitting and littering

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formed a special squad to act against people found spitting and littering at public places. The civic body has set a target of penalising at least 15 offenders daily for each squad member.

Last week, the PMC launched a drive to keep a tab on people found spitting and littering at public places, which was suspended during the Lok Sabha elections in the city. Now, going a step ahead, it has formed special squads to take regular action against the violators. 

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Madhav Jagtap said, “The municipal corporation has formed a task force to take action against people  found spitting and littering at public places. We have assigned this work to 134 employees of the solid waste management and anti-encroachment department. Employees wearing informal dresses will keep a watch on offenders at public places. We have given them a target to penalise at least 15 offenders daily. If these employees fail to complete their target, they will have to face action.” 

According to the Solid Waste Management Rules - 2016, a fine amounting to Rs 150 is charged for spitting in public places; Rs 180 for throwing garbage on roads; Rs 500 for open defecation and Rs 200 for littering. The PMC has published the fine amounts in newspapers and instructed the public to follow the rules. 

During Swachh Survekshan - 2018, the civic body had launched a campaign to spread awareness about cleanliness across the city. Unfortunately, despite several new initiatives launched to execute Swachh Survekshan 2019, Pune could not retain its 10th rank. Unfortunately, the city slipped to 37th rank in the country. Now, the PMC has decided to improve its rank in the forthcoming Swachh Survekshan.