Karnataka banks on tough law to keep cities clean

With the state capital and other cities in Karnataka plagued by lack of cleanliness, the Siddaramaiah government Thursday moved to toughen laws to curb littering, spitting, defecating and other acts of nuisance in public places in the cities.

Even not segregating waste into wet and dry at homes will be punishable with a fine of Rs.100 and bulk generators of such waste will have to shell out Rs.500 the first time and Rs.1,000 subsequently if they fail to separate the waste.

To give effect to these measures, the government Thursday introduced in the assembly amendments to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act.

The amendments make littering, spitting, urinating, defecating or committing other acts of nuisance on road, at bus stations, railway stations, playground, parks and other public places punishable with a penalty of Rs.100 for the first offence.

For subsequent offences, the fine will be Rs.200 each time.

The amendment bill came a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a drive to make Bangalore a zero-garbage city in six months.