Littering and dumping: Local secretaries directed to impose fine of Rs 5000 immediately on garbage related violations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has directed local body secretaries to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 immediately upon detection of dumping, burning and burying of garbage. The governor had signed the ordinance in this regard the other day.

Under the new law, the maximum punishment for this offence is imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of Rs 50,000. If the penalty is not paid, this amount will be levied as general tax arrears. Local body secretaries are empowered to levy fines. In case of default in payment of user fee as per the Ordinance, this amount shall be levied as arrears of general tax with a penalty of fifty per cent per month. A person who fails to pay the user fee may refuse service from the local body until payment is made. At the same time, the local body may exempt from user fees the categories it deems appropriate as per the government guidelines.

Fines related to waste management violations, CSR contributions received for waste management activities, sponsorship amounts, any other donations and any other amounts prescribed by the government should be deposited in the special fund. The government will impose fines on local bodies that do not implement government orders related to waste management. Events where more than 100 people gather in the state should be notified to the Gram Panchayat at least three days in advance. Rewards will be given to those who inform the Secretary in writing of any crime related to waste management.

Exemption may be granted

As part of promoting waste management centres, the ordinance provides for local bodies to provide incentives such as building tax exemptions, concessions, welfare schemes etc. to the people living near such centres.