AMC on heels to fine irresponsible citizens; traders

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

To keep the city clean and beautiful, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) administrator G Sreekanth has taken a decisive step. If citizens commit any mistakes in the 52 different categories, a hefty fine will be imposed on them. The implementation of this decision started on Saturday. On the very first day, a fine of Rs 87,000 was collected from citizens and traders.

Fines are being imposed based on various laws such as the Solid Waste Management Act 2016, Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, Public Property Damage Act, and Property Defacement Law across 52 different categories. The fines include:

Electricity theft from streetlights: Rs 5,000

Defacement of municipal property: Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000

Hoarding without permission: Rs 2,000

Erecting a tent (mandap) without permission: Rs 5,000

Foul conditions due to cattle/animals in a shed: Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000

Unauthorized drainage connection: Rs 5,000

Constructing a building on water pipeline: Rs 25,000

Parking vehicles in no-parking zones, or driving on the wrong side: Rs 500 to Rs 1,000

Digging roads without permission: Rs 5,000

Constructing temporary or permanent buildings on municipal corporation land: Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000

Commotion among traders and citizens

The CSMC started imposing fines on Saturday. Most citizens and traders were unaware of this. In the market, five traders were fined a total of Rs 25,000 after 83 kgs of carry bags were seized, with a fine of Rs 5,000 imposed on each trader.

Fine for obstructing roads

At various locations in the city, three citizens placed construction materials on the roads, creating an obstacle for pedestrians. A fine of Rs 15,000 was collected from them.

A total of Rs 11,000 was collected from 17 citizens for throwing or burning garbage on the streets, and Rs 36,000 was collected from 9 individuals for carelessly parking their vehicles.

What about unauthorised hoardings?

Unauthorised hoardings have proliferated at every intersection in the city. Hoardings play a significant role in the city's defacement. Citizens are questioning when the municipal corporation will take action against these hoardings.