BMC to fine clean up marshal, contractor, if they litter

The clean up marshal that used to collect fine from citizens for littering the city will face action if they litter the city.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is appointing new contractor with a clause to make clean up marshal equally responsible if caught littering.

The contract of the last clean up marshal ended in January and the appointment of new contractor is almost completed. At present, police verification of new clean up marshals is underway. According to official from the Solid Waste Management (SWD), Mumbai will get new clean up marshal in a fortnight.

While twisting the contract agreement, BMC ensures that contractor keeps watch at their clean up marshal deputed across the city. "Citizens can complaint at toll free number or the respective ward of they find clean up marshal littering or spitting gutkha," said the official. The BMC will fine the contractor instead of the clean up marshal.

The contractor will be fined Rs 10,000 for first valid complaint from citizen and subsequently Rs 20,000 and Rs 30000 on receiving third and fourth compliant. BMC may also black list the contractor. "The civic body can also blacklist contract for repeat complaints," said the official.

Clean up marshal of BMC ensures cleanliness across the city by checking unnecessary littering by citizens. About 753 clean up marshals were deputed at different places especially near railway station and important junctions to prevent citizens from littering the city.

In the past, the clean up marshals were blamed for extorting extra money from offenders. According to civic officials, over Rs 9 crore was collected by these clean up marshals under the scheme in the last couple of years. As per the rule, the clean up marshals collect fine Rs 200 from person who is found littering across the city. Of the 50 per cent of this amount goes to civic body while remaining goes to the agency which deputes marshals.

Anil Galgali, a civic activist welcomes the move. However, he said that that the clean marshal should be trained on how to behave with offenders. "This will discipline clean marshal who are often chewing pan masala and spitting at their job site. In addition, the purpose of clean up marshal is not just collecting fines but also to educate people not to repeat," said Galgali.

• The clean up marshal scheme was first introduced in 2007, but was discontinued in 2011 after repeated complaints of corruption and extortion.
• The scheme was revived in 2016. The term of contract ended in January after several small extensions.
• As per the new contract agreement, the clean up marshal as well as contractor will face action for not maintaining cleanliness at job site.
• They have to be in uniform when on duty and should read, write and speak Marathi.

Work Structure

• As per rules, clean-up marshals should collect a fine of Rs 200 an offender
• 50 per cent of this amount goes to the civic body and the remaining sum goes to the agency which deputes marshals