10,000 fine for littering, bill drafted; welfare scheme and tax relief for residents near waste plants

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Those who throw household waste on the road, in the backyard of the neighbouring house, etc. will have to pay a fine from now on. Kerala Panchayati Raj and Municipal Acts will soon be amended to make source waste management the responsibility of the people. Those who do not comply with the rule will have to pay a fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 10,000. The provision also stipulates that those who report littering should be rewarded.

The aim is to make Kerala the cleanest state. The draft of the bill prepared by the Local Self-Government Department will be forwarded to the Law Department soon. As the bill is unlikely to be introduced in the assembly session that ends on September 14, it may come as an ordinance.

Local bodies should take the initiative to set up the waste processing plants. To avoid objections from the residents of the premises, provision will be made for the allotment of special welfare schemes and tax concessions for them. Local bodies can take steps to locate vacant land or suitable private land to set up a treatment plant. Adjacent local bodies can also implement the project jointly.

Panchayat Committees and Municipal Councils will have the sole responsibility to ensure that citizens carry out waste management at source. Secretaries will be the ones who should ensure this. Secretaries should also take action against violators. The people and local bodies also have the responsibility to ensure cleanliness of the surroundings.

5000 fine for dumping

A fine of Rs 5000 will be imposed on those who throw garbage in public places, water bodies or private land. The fine is the same even if wastewater is discharged. Local bodies should constantly monitor and check everywhere.

Owners are responsible for keeping the premises of shops and establishments clean. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to Rs.5000. A fine of up to ten thousand rupees can be imposed for non-compliance with the prescribed conditions.

Important conditions

1. Garbage from homes, hotels, restaurants, industries and hospitals should be segregated and transferred.
2. Each waste should be segregated at the source into organic, inorganic and household hazardous and placed in separate bins.
3. These wastes should be collected by the local bodies by charging a fixed user fee or disposed of at a designated place.
4. Local bodies should not charge user fees higher than the rate fixed by the state government. Doorstep collection should be ensured by the local body.
5. The local body should take the initiative to locate vacant land or suitable private land for the treatment plant.