MUMBAI: It's not just the city's aam junta that is guilty of abject lack of civic sense, littering the streets and spitting on public stretches. A senior BMC official, who put together data on fines collected for littering in July and August, said "educated gentlemen" too have been caught callously discarding cigarette butts and emptied packs. Pet poop and puddles under washed cars rank a close third on the city's list of litterbugs.
August figures submitted by BMC's solid waste management department show that in the F (North) Ward, comprising Matunga-Sion, no less than 3,994 people were fined a total of Rs 7.9 lakh for littering, mainly cigarette butts, and spitting. The ward's dubious lead was followed by the R (Central) Ward of Borivli West-3,850 offenders were fined Rs 7.7 lakh. The upscale H (West) Ward of Bandra West saw 3,336 people being fined Rs 6.67 lakh. In August so far, BMC has collected around Rs 50 lakh by way of fines in this category alone.
Cigarette butts, packs and spitting are commonly spotted in the corridors of corporate houses, banks and even malls, said a BMC official. "The moment we catch them, they tell us how connected they are and that there is no provision to discard the butts in their offices," said Satish Savardekar, BMC clean-up marshal.
Another official added, "Spitting outside railway stations has stopped at several places. But who will educate the educated lot? Some even demand installation of spittoons."
BMC took a leaf out of Singapore's example in 2008 and began to levy fines on littering and spitting. The drive was subsequently stopped due to inadequate number of cleanup marshals and following complaints of corruption. It was revived in July. BMC slaps a fine of Rs 200 for both littering and spitting. A minimum fine of Rs 100 is levied for relieving oneself in public, as the offenders are mostly slumdwellers.
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