THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor signed two bills passed by the Assembly to ensure a clean Kerala. These are the Kerala Panchayati Raj (Amendment) and Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Bills, 2024 to levy a fine of Rs 5000 for littering in public places. The related ordinance would have been repealed on March 6. The governor signed it when the government informed him about this. The bills were passed by the House on February 13.

Funds will be cut for local bodies that fail in waste disposal. Fines will also be taken from the fund. In case of defaulting businesses, the license will not be renewed. The secretary of the local body will be fully responsible for waste management. The Secretary will be authorized to spend up to two lakh rupees in case of emergency. Earlier it was Rs.25000.

If government orders related to waste management are not implemented within one month, fines will be imposed. Default in payment of user fee even after 90 days can be levied as arrears along with property tax with a penalty of 50% per month. A person who does not pay the user fee on time will not get any service from the local authority.

Public events where more than 100 people gather must be reported to the local authority at least three days before. Garbage should be handed over to collectors or agencies on payment of fixed fees. There is no tax for people living near waste treatment facilities. There is also a reward for those who report littering.