Kerala: Waste management rules violation to now attract max fine of Rs 50,000, 1-year imprisonment
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Violation of waste management rules will now attract a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of up to one year under the laws amended as part of the ongoing garbage-free Kerala campaign.
Minister for Local Self-Governments M B Rajesh Monday said according to the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, and Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated last week, if the violators fail to pay the fine it will be added to public tax arrears.
"The fine imposed by the secretary against dumping in public and private land has been increased to Rs 5,000," the minister said in a release.
The Local Self Government Department, in a release, said the secretary has been empowered to enforce punitive measures and can impose fines after hearing the violators by giving notice.
"Violating waste management rules will attract a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of up to one year under the laws amended," Rajesh said.
The secretary is also empowered to assign duties to officials of the local bodies to take necessary measures for waste management, the release said.
Rajesh described the amendment of laws as a significant initiative taken up as part of the Malinya Muktha Keralam campaign.
"The amendment has placed more responsibilities on waste generators and increased the level of fines that can be levied on them for failing to do so. Penalties should be heavy to serve as a deterrent against potential environmental and public health damage to strengthen the sustainable future of the state," he said.
The minister said the ordinances also allow the government to impose fines on the local self-government bodies if they do not follow the instructions.
It is the duty of the owners and occupiers of shops to keep their premises clean, the release said, adding the local authorities can confiscate vehicles used for improper disposal of garbage or excrement.
The release also said fines or penalties, corporate social responsibility contributions or sponsorships and others prescribed by the government should be deposited into the Waste Management Fund to be created.
The local bodies can utilise the funds for waste management-related activities and to increase productivity, it added.
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Marathi must for auto, taxi drivers in Maharashtra; special verification drive from May 1: Minister
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra transport department will launch a special verification drive from May 1 to August 15 to ensure effective implementation of the decision to make Marathi mandatory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state, minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, the transport minister said that under the drive, licences of the drivers will not be cancelled solely for not knowing Marathi, but strict action will be taken against the violators and those engaged in illegal transportation.
"Action will be taken only as per existing legal provisions," he said.
The drive will be carried out across all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state under the supervision of a committee headed by Additional Transport Commissioner Ravindra Gaikwad.
"If one wants to do business in Maharashtra, knowing Marathi is essential," the minister said, adding that representatives of auto and taxi unions have expressed full support to the decision.
Citing a recent special drive in Mira-Bhayander, Sarnaik said an inspection of 3,443 auto-rickshaws was conducted, during which 565 drivers failed to demonstrate the knowledge of Marathi.
"But these drivers have shown willingness to learn the language," he said.
The committee headed by Gaikwad will monitor the campaign on a daily and weekly basis, and issue directions to RTOs based on inspection reports, he added.
Facilities will be provided at RTO offices for drivers willing to learn Marathi, with training support from Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. Booklets and e-material will also be made available, according to Sarnaik.
Drivers who complete the training will be issued certificates by the state government, which will be required at the time of licence renewal, the minister said.
"Giving an opportunity to those willing to learn Marathi is part of the state's tradition, but there will be no compromise with those violating rules," Sarnaik warned.
A comprehensive report on the 100-day drive will be submitted on August 16, based on which further policy decisions will be taken, he added.
