Mumbai: BMC mulls hike in civic fines

The BMC is not only planning to reintroduce the controversial concept of clean-up marshals but is also considering increasing fine amounts. Fifty per cent of the fine amount goes to the agencies that deploy these marshals. The civic body, which had last appointed clean-up marshal agencies a year-and-a-half ago, looks at marshals as a means to keeping the city clean. These officials were deployed during the pandemic to fine people who spat on roads and were not wearing masks. However, they suddenly disappeared from the city's streets a year ago. The BMC is now in the process of scrapping earlier contracts and appointing new agencies for each ward.

It is likely that individuals must now fulfil certain educational criteria such as being Std X or Std XII graduates and undergo police verification before becoming clean-up marshals as citizens had complained about harassment at their hands. The solid waste management department is working on the proposal in this regard, which is yet to be sent to higher-ups for approval. "The proposal is still at the primary level. If all goes according to plan, we will float tenders within the next two-three months," said Prashant Tayshettye, chief engineer of the solid waste management department.

If appointed, the marshals will have the power to penalise people for spitting, not picking up pet poop, littering, dumping waste and debris, open defecation, etc. The earlier fine ranged from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, but the BMC plans to hike them and half of the revised amount will go to the agencies. According to BMC officials, 20 to 30 marshals will be deployed, depending on the size and requirement of the 24 wards. The agencies will have to submit detailed information about individuals.

Last December, the BMC claimed that it would deploy swachhata doots to create awareness and the process of appointing clean-up marshals had been put on the back burner. The BMC had said that these doots would only create awareness and would not have powers to fine people. According to official records, the swachhata doots are expected to focus on waste sorting and promoting the avoidance of plastic bags. Inspecting toilet cleanliness and general cleanliness were also included in their duties.

"The duties of swachhata doots are different. The main focus of their work is waste segregation. Clean-up marshals were appointed during COVID to fine people for spitting or for not wearing masks. It helped in the fight against COVID," said Tayshettye. In the pandemic years, the marshals had fined more than 35 lakh citizens and collected over Rs 80 crore from them.

The marshals have, however, faced serious criticism from Mumbaikars over their alleged bullying and extortion. Usha Godse, a resident of Mahim, said, "Sometimes people learn a lesson after they pay a fine. There are rules and fines for traffic violations. But the fines are collected by the police. The main objection to the marshals is their rude behaviour. They were only interested in slapping fines and not about creating awareness."

The civic body, on the other hand, view clean-up marshals as helpful. "The marshals will help keep the city clean. People throw garbage in public places and spit on the roads. A few of them complain when told to pay fines. There may be some cases of nuisance but it should not affect the whole programme," said another SWM department official. The BMC first appointed clean-up marshals in 2006 and then in July 2016. After that, the contract was renewed on a yearly basis.

2006
Year BMC first appointed clean-up marshals

24
No of wards in city