The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) much-debated and controversial clean-up marshal scheme is set to be scrapped by April 2025. The solid waste management department has submitted a proposal to civic chief Bhushan Gagrani to discontinue the scheme. Confirming the development, Gagrani stated that the BMC has decided to phase out the initiative. The decision comes after widespread reports of marshals threatening citizens, demanding bribes, and extorting money. Both the public and municipal officers raised concerns about the disruptive behavior of the marshals.
Earlier, the marshals were removed from five municipal hospitals due to allegations that they were extorting money from patients' relatives. Initially appointed to maintain cleanliness and prevent littering, these marshals were accused of demanding payments from hospital visitors. A review of the scheme by Municipal Additional Commissioner Ashwini Joshi revealed further malpractice, with some agencies supplying fewer marshals than agreed upon. As a result, some agencies were fined approximately 63 lakh rupees.
The marshals had the authority to fine individuals for littering, with penalties ranging from 200 to 2000 rupees. However, many were found accepting fines without issuing receipts, while others took bribes to settle cases or demanded money without justification. The prescribed punishment for dropping litter, such as a piece of paper, was simply to pick it up and dispose of it properly, but some marshals bypassed this and instead sought payments. Changes are expected in the Solid Waste Management Act, which will introduce a new system of fines. These modifications will also bring about improvements in how penalties for littering and uncleanliness are enforced.