The Kolkata Municipal Corporation(KMC) has levied a fine of Rs 5000 on at least two parties for allegedly burning waste in the open.
In a social media post on Friday, KMC authorities uploaded two notices detailing the violations and the fines imposed.
Both the violators-a resident of Camac Street and another in the Dhakuria area- were asked to pay the fine as environmental compensation in accordance with directions passed by the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi.
The Camac Street violator has been fined for openly burning solid waste by the road. The Dhakuria offender was fined for burning tree leaves and domestic articles on the roadside as well.
Both the violators have to pay the fine within the stipulated time of 14/15 days from the day the notice was issued. If the fines went unpaid, the same can be recovered as arrears on property tax, the notice stated.
“We are committed to make Kolkata a pollution-free city & strict action will be taken against violators in this regard. Hon Mayor KMC, Sri Firhad Hakim has advised strict action and under his guidance fines & penalties are being imposed. Let us stay vigil for such acts of menace” stated KMC authorities on the Facebook post.
The National Green Tribunal had banned open burning of waste in 2016. The tribunal had said a fine of Rs 5,000 would be imposed for burning waste in the open and a fine of Rs 25,000 for bulk burning of waste in the open.
The KMC’s Solid Waste Management Rules (published in 2020), too, has provisions for the imposition of fines for burning waste in the open.