Virushka’s ‘litterbug’ could attract Rs 100 fine in Chennai Corporation limits

Be ready to pay a fine for all such infractions, with amounts ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 50,000 depending on the nature of the violation and category of violators. The draft solid waste management by-law that the Greater Chennai Corporation has put out for public consultation also proposes levying monthly user charge for residential and non-residential units as well.

Moving ahead in its effort to put in place a legal framework to tackle the challenges faced in waste disposal, the draft by-law has defined the duties of the waste generators — houses, complexes and commercial entities, as well as the Corporation itself. The waste generators are mandated to “segregate and store the waste generated by them in three separate streams namely biodegradable, non-biodegradable and domestic hazardous waste in suitable bins and handover segregated waste to authorised waste pickers or waste collectors… No waste generator shall throw, burn or bury solid waste on the streets, open public spaces outside his premises or in the drain or waterbodies.” The by-law proposes levying user fee for solid waste management.

Under this, owners of households, shops, hotels, restaurants, office buildings and shopping complexes will have to remit solid waste management user charges, which range from Rs 10 to Rs 50 for residential premises, and Rs 25 to Rs 500 for commercial premises.

The by-law also accounts for massive waste generated during events and functions. “No person shall organise an event or gathering of over 100 persons at any unlicenced place without intimating the local body three working days in advance, and such person or the organiser of such event shall ensure segregation of waste at source and handing over of waste to waste collector or agency as specified by the local body,” states the draft. It has also introduced a penalty clause for lapses such as non-segregation of waste, littering, burying or burning waste, domestic hazardous waste, ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 25,000.

The penalty will be levied 30 days after the by-laws come in place for waste generators not adhering to these laws.

Kripa Ramachandran, researcher, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group, said, “For the first time, the term zero-waste has been used. It may be a small step for the Corporation but a giant leap for the city, if it can be implemented in letter and spirit.”