Kolkata: Citizens will now have to pay a minimum fine of Rs 5,000 and a maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh for littering in public places. The amendment was passed in the form of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill in the state Assembly on Thursday.
In the existing Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, the fine ranged from Rs 50 to Rs 5,000.
The amended Section 338 of the Act reads: "Whoever deposits or throws or causes or permits to be deposited or thrown any solid waste on any place in contravention of the provisions of this Act shall… be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees and more than one lakh rupees."
Sources in Kolkata Municipal Corporation said littering any place that is not designated as a waste dumping site or a vat by the civic body can activate penalty.
"As the formalities regarding the appointment of Mayor is still in the process, no decision can be taken at this juncture on the aspect of implementation," said Debabrata Majumder, Member Mayor-in-Council (Solid Waste Management) of the previous Board under Sovan Chatterjee.
A source in the state Municipal Affairs department said a notice will be issued and the matter will be forwarded to the municipal court, which will decide on the quantum of the fine.
It may be mentioned that the Mamata Banerjee government has already formed a high-level 11 member committee headed by Chief Secretary Malay De to strengthen the state's anti-spitting drive.
It is also trying to bring about changes in the 2003 anti-spitting law in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who chaired a meeting on the subject at Nabanna, recently had stressed on the practice to curb spitting and littering public places.
"Massive infrastructure development including projects like setting up of skywalk and floating market is taking place in the city. But there is a section of people who spit at and litter in public places. We have to keep in mind that it is our state and it is our duty to keep it clean," a senior official of the Municipal Affairs department said.
Banerjee had expressed anguish that many people had spat betel juice on Dakshineswar skywalk within 24 hours of its inauguration.
The amended Bill that was passed in the assembly will also allow the KMC assessment department to offer 10 percent exemption on property ax to those citizens who have attained 60 years of age. Earlier only those in the age group of 65 years and above were eligible for the exemption.