In India pile of garbage on the streets is not a very rare site. Many people do not even shy away in dumping their waste on the roads as if the public roads are meant to throw garbage only. However, Bengalureans will probably have to think twice before throwing their garbage in the open. This is because in Bengaluru if you get caught dumping trash on the roads, then it would mean you are in trouble, as you can be booked under the serious charge of “spreading disease”.
In the last 15 days, the Bengaluru police have booked more than 150 residents for dumping garbage on the roads. These people have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and Section 283 (Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation).
Drive to aware people
Deputy Commissioner of Police for East Division in Bengaluru, Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad, told The Logical Indian that this is a preventive measure to cure many diseases. He said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had approached the police seeking their help in combating the prevalent waste dumping problem in the city.
“When the BBMP approached us, we decided to help them as it is a serious issue. We knew that a lot of people just throw garbage on the roads, which they are not supposed to do. This does not only makes the place looks dirty but it also bears many diseases,” said Shahapurwad.
The officer said that it is also an awareness drive that would educate the people about the issue and would deter them from doing it again. He says that it is a 24×7 drive, as dumping garbage does not only happen in daylight and many people who are ashamed of dumping garbage in the day come in the darkest hour to dump their waste on open spaces. He says many police officers in their respective areas have consciously decided to look into the issue of dumping waste strictly.
Caught Redhanded
Till now many people have been booked “Redhanded” by the Bengaluru police for committing the crime. The drive has covered areas such as Indra Nagar, K.G. Halli, D.J. Halli, Bharati Nagar and Pulakeshinagar, Jaya Nagar and many more.
“150 cases are actually less, if we strictly implement this drive the number of cases would be a lot,” said the officer.
The cop told us that the fine is Rs 200 to Rs 500 depending on the magnitude of the offence and the discretion of the court. In extreme cases, one can also be imposed with a punishment of six-month imprisonment under the law.
HC pulled BBMP
Last month while hearing a PIL on garbage related issue, the Karnataka High Court division bench comprising of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice SG Pandit pulled up the BBMP. The bench told the BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad that the garbage should be cleared. “You will be answerable if the city is not cleaned,” said the court, as reported by The Times Of India. Soon after the bench’s wrath, on October 31, the BBMP in just one night nabbed more than 100 people for dumping garbage by roadsides.
Also Read: Bengaluru: In 4 Yrs, BBMP Has Lost An Estimated 400 Cr On Fictitious Garbage-Collection Vehicles
