GHMC nets Rs 1.04 lakh on 'Fines Day'

Hyderabad: Those littering or open defecating and even throwing plastic on roads, don’t be surprised if you are slapped with a fine. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has kick started a drive against violators. On a single day,  the authorities collected Rs 1.04 lakh fines from 108 violators  in twin cities. The municipal corporation has termed April 26 and 27 as Fines Day.

The GHMC commissioner has ordered all zonal, deputy commissioner and Assistant Medical Health officers to observed Wednesday as all Fines Day wherein litter throwers, illegal banners, poster  and those throwing plastic should be fined.

Additional Commissioner – Health and Sanitation, GHMC  Mr. N. Ravi Kumar said, “It is the first time that this kind of a drive has been initiated, and will continue regularly every month. The fine starts from Rs 100 for open urination, littering (based on the amount) and will go up to Rs 20,000 especially the wholesales outlets disposing off plastic waste on roads.  On Tuesday various retail and wholesale outlets were fined between Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000 and the same will be done on April 27. If the violation causing pollution to the surroundings, a legal cases will be registered against the violator.

When asked, the officer said  additional staff had been deployed on the Fines Day. He added that all the Zonal, Deputy commissioners along with the health and sanitation wing officials will be on an inspection drive. Anyone found violating will be fined. This will continue every week. The themes will be changed as well. It will also include encroachment as well as construction debris thrown on roads and more.