Beware Don’t spit in Ooty or you will be fined

In what is a praiseworthy step towards maintaining cleanliness in the hill region that is visited by hundreds of tourists, the District Collector in the Nilgiris has announced that those found spitting pan masala will be slapped with a fine of Rs 1000.

“I have asked town panchayat officials to identify those spitting pan masala and betel nut in public places and tourist spots. Those breaking the rules will be slapped with a fine of Rs 1000,” J Innocent Divya said, while participating in Swachh Bharat Mission programme at Kotagiri bus terminus on Thursday.

Addressing the public after spearheading a cleaning drive at Kotagiri bus terminus, the Collector said, “Each of the shop owners should spare at least one hour a day to improve cleanliness in their surroundings. Ooty may sport a better look only if all sections of the society lend their co-operation towards a cleaner city.” In yet another stringent measure, the Collector also announced that failure to segregate household waste into degradable and non-degradable trash before handing it over to sanitary workers will attract fine.

“First-time offenders will be fined. More action, including disconnecting electric line and water connection, will be taken against repeated violators,” she said. The Collector also made the public to take a pledge to keep their locality clean. “Every citizen is duty bound to keep their surroundings clean. We shouldn’t associate cleanliness to be the job of sanitary workers alone. Students should also volunteer themselves to keep their houses and school premises clean,” Innocent Divya said, while addressing students at a private school in Kotagiri Mission Compound area.

Local residents and tourists welcomed the efforts by the district administration to keep the hills clean, but raised apprehension over its implementation in an effective manner.