The Times of India                       13.03.2013 

Burning of waste continues in Nashik even as health department claims imposing fines

NASHIK: The burning of waste by sanitary employees continuesdespite the health department claiming that it has been imposes fines on the offenders.

The sanitary employees of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) have been found burning garbage such as fallen leaves, twigs and other such wastes on the roadside on a regular basis. The civic body's health department began slapping fines on its sanitary employees from March 2011 for burning roadside waste and dry leaves leading to a drop in the incidences of burning garbage.

But for the past few months, the employees have been caught burning wastes in various parts of the city. Around Rs 2,000 has been collected as fine in the past six months from various divisions of the city.

Such instances have been common in the Nashik road division, Bhabhanagar, College road, Mahatmanagar and Gangapur road.

Health officer of the civic body Dr S G Hiray said that fine up to Rs 200 is deducted from the salary of the sanitary employee if he is caught in the act. He also said that the employees had been given strict instructions for not burning roadside wastes.

The health department started collected fines for the sanitary employees after the environmental organisations raised objections and presented memorandums to then municipal commissioner regarding the burning of roadside wastes.

When asked, the sanitary employees said that they were not aware of the fine being deducted from their salaries. They said that for a handful of waste it was not necessary to carry carts.

In January, when the citizens had complained of similar instances, the health official had said that he would personally visit the places where the waste was being burnt and would take necessary action. When contacted again, the official assured that he would look into the issue immediately.