The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has said it will impose fines on bulk waste generators from November 1 if they fail to set up composting units at the site by the end of this month.
Corporation Commissioner Akshay Sridhar said in a press release on Saturday that as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Solid Waste Treatment Bylaws of MCC, apartments and establishments like hotels, hospitals, lodges, wedding halls, catering etc. More than 30 households have been mandated to build composting units on site and process waste at the source. Several notices and press releases have been issued in this regard to all the bulk solid waste generators. Even so, the instructions have received only a small number of responses.
Therefore apartments that fail to comply with the rules will have to deposit an amount of ₹15 per flat in advance at the beginning of the month. Afterwards, the driver of the solid waste collection vehicle will have to give a receipt for the fine before handing over the garbage. Thereafter, a fine of ₹25 per flat will be imposed in the second month. The challan for paying the fine can be obtained from the Health Section of the Corporation Office.
“In case of failure to produce receipts for payment of fine, the waste will be discarded on the spot and legal action will be initiated against the bulk waste generator,” Sridhar said.
The commissioner said that at present, the Karnataka High Court was hearing a writ petition on solid waste management by the corporation. A government inquiry was underway to examine the progress made by the corporation in implementing solid waste management measures.
Taking serious note of the matter, MCC had directed all bulk waste generators to start composting on site of wet waste before October 31, 2021. However, many establishments have failed to follow the guidelines.
“This issue will be taken seriously and violators will be fined from November 1, 2021,” he said, adding that bulk waste generators can contact 0824-220310 (-318) for details.
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