The New Indian Express           08.11.2013

The Times of India          07.11.2013 

Municipal Department to launch 100-day cleanliness drive in Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD: After the smoking ban which proved to be a dud, the civic authorities have now embarked on yet another drive which at best showcases their lofty intentions and at worst a non-starter.

The municipal administration department has issued a circular to all the 182 municipalities in the state including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) directing them to launch a 100-day cleanliness drive starting November 5.

As part of the drive, the municipalities will slap a fine on persons who litter, spit, urinate or dump garbage on the roads. The municipalities were told to pass a resolution specifying the fines for the various offences in their respective zones. "Municipalities will pass a resolution to zero in on the fines to be levied. Associations of residential colonies, industrial and commercial clusters will be asked by our staff to ensure that their city or town surroundings are kept clean," B Janardana Reddy, commissioner and director of municipal administration told TOI.

According to GHMC additional commissioner L Vandana Kumar, the penalty for dumping garbage on the roads would be anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 50,000 depending on the damage done to the health of the public in the area. There would be a fine of Rs 100 on persons who urinate in public places, he said.

The municipal staff will inspect kitchens of small eateries, hotels and restaurants to ensure that the disposal of garbage does not pose any health risk to citizens in the area, he said. Necessary help will be provided to commercial establishments to set up modern kitchens, he added.

However, the major grouse of citizens is that they are clueless about the authority which addresses grievances regarding disposal of garbage. In response, the civic bodies have been directed to launch a programme called 'Parichayam' which requires municipal staff to meet residents in an area and give them their contact details to resolve several civic issues.

However, whether the initiatives will be implemented in letter and spirit remains to be seen. "When a vehicle driver commits a traffic offence, he can easily be identified by the traffic cops and fined. But how does one monitor persons who litter, spit and urinate on the roads. Is it feasible? Do the civic authorities have the required patrolling teams to enforce the rule? Even if the offenders are caught, what if the person caught urinating refuses to pay the fine? What action can be taken against him?" asked R Satish, a resident of Banjara Hills. The new rule would go the way of the no-smoking ban in public places- 'Up in Smoke', he added wryly.