The Hindu 31.07.2013
Bill to punish littering, spitting in public places adopted
The Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill 2013 that provides for slapping penalty and even imprisoning those habitually failing to segregate their garbage and indulging in littering, urinating and spitting in public in the seven municipal corporation areas of the State, including Bangalore, was adopted by a voice vote in the Legislative Council on Tuesday.
However, members cutting across political affiliations expressed concern that there were no public toilets sufficient to cater to the needs of the increasing population. “Let the government first provide adequate number of public toilets before acting against those easing themselves in public places before bringing about such a law,” Leader of the Opposition in the Council D.V. Sadananda Gowda said.
He maintained that it was better to inculcate the spirit of civic sense among people right from the school-level rather than trying to enforce it forcibly through legislation.
Janata Dal (S) Floor Leader M.C. Nanaiah felt that it was not proper to punish people for small offences such as littering while the civic agencies, including the BBMP and the BDA, themselves had spoiled the city’s tidiness by dumping debris and construction material in several areas. “Penalty has to be first slapped on the BBMP and its commissioner,” he remarked.
“There is a nexus among some corrupt corporators, BBMP officials and contractors which is coming in the way of effective functioning of the BBMP,” he alleged and remarked that BBMP corporators were more powerful than legislators from Bangalore city.
Council Deputy Chairperson Vimala Gowda took serious exception to the BBMP allowing people to spoil the city’s neatness by not acting against those who unauthorisedly put up flex banners even to convey birthday wishes.
However, the members agreed to support the Bill following an assurance from Urban Development Minister Vinaykumar Sorake that their suggestions would be incorporated in the law.
Members cutting across party lines express concern over toilet shortage
Remarks on the Bill
E. Krishnappa: There are no public toilets in a one-km radius of the Vidhana Soudha. If a big delegation of farmers comes to the Vidhana Soudha to submit a memorandum to the authorities where should they relieve themselves?
Ganesh Karnik: What is the mechanism to prove whether it is his (offender’s) first or second offence?
M.C.
Nanaiah: Toilets are the only places of national integration in the
country as it is the only place visited by people from all religions,
castes and communities
