Send video of litterbugs dropping waste to BSWML's WhatsApp number, earn Rs 250
Bengaluru: In a bid to curb rampant waste dumping, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) has launched a new initiative offering a Rs 250 reward to anyone who records and shares videos of littering incidents. The move follows the earlier ‘Kasa Suriyuva Habba’ campaign, which targeted litterbugs by dumping garbage at their doorsteps.
The videos can be shared on BSWML’s dedicated WhatsApp number, 9448197197.
BSWML Managing Director Karee Gowda said the agency has received a clear mandate from the government to address key waste management issues while restructuring infrastructure to meet the city’s needs over the next 30 to 40 years.
“Given a freehand by the government, BSWML is able to take bold steps, including dumping waste at the doorsteps of such mischief mongers who care less for the city and its aesthetics. To strengthen BSWML’s image and ensure people take us seriously, we are launching the video initiative. Those shooting the video should share the location and also details of violators if possible,” The New Indian Express quoted Gowda as saying.
Gowda noted that people continue to litter, often too lazy to hand over their garbage to auto tippers sent to their doorsteps.
BSWML is also exploring ways to transfer the reward money directly to the UPI accounts of people who share videos, with their identities reportedly kept confidential.
Addressing concerns about the additional financial burden on BSWML, an official said the agency will not incur a loss, as the rewards will be paid from penalties collected from litterbugs.
“We collect Rs 1,000 to 10,000 depending of the quantity and type of waste dumped by irresponsible public. Rewarding Rs 250 is not a loss at all and this will rather encourage people to keep the city clean,” TNIE quoted an official as saying.
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CM launches poster campaign 'Justice for Karnataka'
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday released nine posters as part of a campaign: ‘Justice for Karnataka. Fair Share–Strong Federalism’ asking the Centre to heed state's demands.
These posters highlight key demands placed before the Finance Commission: Restoring Karnataka’s fair tax share; correcting unjust income, population and GSDP criteria; ensuring fair disaster and ecological support; strengthening decentralisation; providing dedicated infrastructure support for Bengaluru; supporting backward regions like Kalyana Karnataka; and upholding the constitutional spirit of cooperative federalism, Siddaramaiah said.
In a statement, Siddaramaiah said his government has placed its legitimate and constitutionally grounded demands before the 16th Finance Commission, seeking justice in tax devolution and fiscal federalism.
“We hope that the 16th Finance Commission reflects these concerns fairly in its recommendations, and that the Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi implements them in letter and spirit, without subjecting Karnataka to petty politics or discrimination, as has unfortunately happened in the past,” the chief minister said.
Siddaramaiah underlined that Karnataka is among the country’s highest contributors to national revenues, yet its share in tax devolution was earlier reduced from 4.71 per cent to 3.64 per cent causing a loss of nearly Rs 80,000 crore.
"Flawed formulas that penalise development and population control, unrealistic GSDP calculations, inadequate disaster support, unchecked cesses and surcharges, denial of GST compensation, and non-release of recommended grants have collectively weakened the state’s finances," Siddaramaiah charged.
