BBMP to penalise contractors, pourakarmikas for burning trash

Bengaluru: After launching a drive against those illegally dumping garbage by deploying marshals, the BBMP now wants to penalise those who burn garbage.

The BBMP officials observed that the main culprits behind this menace are garbage contractors and pourakarmikas and it is adding to the city’s air pollution.

BBMP has decided to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 and above against erring pourakarmikas or garbage contractors. They will also be removed from service or their contract will be terminated.

A senior BBMP official said, “Recently, there has been a rise in incidents of garbage burning and we have received numerous complaints. The public used to claim that the garbage collection was not happening regularly so they were forced to burn garbage. We plan to run garbage collecting vehicles twice in a day and hence people cannot give excuses to burn garbage. The fine amount is said to be high and even the recently deployed marshals are being briefed about it.”

“The matter was discussed with Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar, who had expressed concern about the issue and directed the BBMP commissioner and Mayor to take it up seriously,” the officer added.

Another officer pointed out that in most incidents of garbage burning occur through connivance of garbage contractors. We will issuing them a stern warning, failing which they will be blacklisted, he added.

“Garbage burning releases various toxic fumes into the air. Residents should not even burn dry waste, such as leaves, on their premises. Business establishments seen burning waste in front of shops and will be seriously dealt with,” he said.

The official pointed out that for now the fine amount for burning garbage will be Rs 2,000 and it might be increased in the coming days.