Civic body proposes hike in fine for littering

A year ahead of the crucial Commonwealth Games, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has finally decided to penalise people for littering.

A year ahead of the crucial Commonwealth Games, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has finally decided to penalise people for littering.

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The civic agency is going to take up the issue with the Delhi government.

“The Delhi Cleanliness and Sanitation By-laws, 2009, were sent to the state government for approval three months ago. They are necessary to make the Capital a cleaner place and we will try to get them implemented as soon as possible,” said R.K. Singhal, Chairman of the MCD’s Standing Committee.

While littering in states such as California in the US attracts a $100 fine in addition to eight hours of picking up garbage as punishment, anti-littering laws are too antiquated to act as effective deterrents for offenders in our national capital.

“We’re still authorised to only levy fines according to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957,” said Deep Mathur, Director, Press and Information, MCD.

“They have remained untouched for five decades and that's why there hasn’t been any change as far as public etiquette is concerned.”

The civic agency can charge a maximum of Rs 50 for offences such as dumping garbage in public areas, depositing filth on the street among others, as per the provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.

“Even five years ago, a proposal to enhance the amount of fines and penalties to serve as deterrent to offenders was sent to Delhi Government; but nothing came of it,” said Mathur.

The Delhi Cleanliness and Sanitation Byelaws 2009, if implemented, call for a penalty of up to Rs 200 — three times that of the existing penalty, for those found littering, washing clothes in undesignated areas, spitting and urinating in public and other offences.

Those failing to pay the fine shall be liable to perform at least an hour's community service by performing activities like sweeping the road and graffiti cleaning.