Caught littering? Be prepared for Rs100 fine

Nagpur: After its rank fell from 23rd to 27th in the recently declared Swachh Survekshan, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to enforce its past decision to penalise citizens for dumping trash in public places.
Additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi told TOI, “Citizens seen and caught in the act of throwing garbage will be penalised and a fine of Rs100 will be collected. NMC will also publish their names and photos in local media.”
The act to impose fines on citizens was passed by the standing committee and the general body had given its nod. However, NMC did not enforce this. “But now, no errant person will be spared,” said Joshi.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Joshi which was attended by deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management) Dr Gajendra Mahalle and nuisance detection squad commandant Virsen Tambe among others.
Joshi said that in order to keep the city clean, it is necessary to take action against the citizens who throw garbage on the streets and pavements, spit, pollute and urinate. Besides this, the civic body will start penalising citizens as well as shopkeepers for using banned plastic bags.
“If citizens or shopkeepers hand over garbage to NMC, it will go a long way in maintaining cleanliness in the market,” Joshi said. He urged the citizens to use the Swachhta app as well. “Citizens can register their complaints by downloading the app on their mobile phones. This complaint will be redressed by NMC immediately, he assured.
Punitive action will be taken against those found littering market places. The additional municipal commissioner urged shopkeepers to keep green and blue waste bins in their shops for wet and dry garbage.