Caught littering, pay Rs 500 to MC

Littering roads and public places can cost you dear as the municipal corporation (MC) will be issuing challans to violators.

Littering roads and public places can cost you dear as the municipal corporation (MC) will be issuing challans to violators.

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Secretary, local bodies department, Punjab, Ashok Gupta has given directions to the civic body to take action as per law against people found throwing garbage on roads or other places instead of bins.

With the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched officially in the city on Thursday, directions to take action against violators as per law have been given to the MC officials with an aim that people avoid littering.

Though the MC had started issuing challans for littering roads in some commercial areas last year, the drive was stopped after some time. However, the drive did not start in residential areas.

"As per law, there is a provision that the MC can issue challan to violator and will give a time of 10 days to him/her to give assurance in written that he/she will not repeat the offence. If the violator gives written assurance then the MC will charge a composition fee of Rs 500. But if the violator does not give any reply then the matter will be forwarded to the court, which will take action as per law," said chief, health and sanitation wing, Amarjeet Singh Sekhon.

Earlier, Gupta, who visited RS Model School for official launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, said, "Fear can also help people stop littering roads and public places. The MC commissioner should start the drive of taking action against violators who make the city dirty."

He had also said, "If a person is caught littering for the first time then the MC can issue warning if the violator accepts his fault and assures not to repeat the offence."

Sekhon said, "We will start issuing challans to violators as per the directions of the secretary of local bodies."

What the law says

There is a provision that the MC can issue challan to a violator and will give a time of 10 days to him/her to give assurance in written that he/she will not repeat the offence.

If the violator gives written assurance then the MC will charge a composition fee of Rs 500. But if the violator does not give any reply then the matter will be forwarded to the court, which will take action as per law.