Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) recently introduced stringent sanitation rules under the Uttar Pradesh Solid Waste Management and Sanitation Rules, 2021, imposing a fine of Rs 250 on individuals caught spitting in public.
This initiative is part of the city’s broader effort to enhance cleanliness and hygiene in one of India’s most visited spiritual and tourist destinations, which notably is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency.
Besides the spitting fine, the rules also stipulate a Rs 1,000 penalty for littering or spitting from vehicles, alongside fines for leaving food for stray animals, improper garbage disposal, and other unsanitary practices.
Sanctions and Enforcement Measures
According to VMC Public Relations Officer, Sandeep Srivastava, the new regulations cover various sanitation offences with differentiated fines. Besides the Rs 250 fine for spitting, those leaving food for strays on streets face the same penalty. Property owners holding garbage beyond 24 hours or littering public areas such as parks and roads will be fined Rs 500.
Pet owners neglecting to clean up their dogs’ excreta in public places also face a Rs 500 charge. Dumping waste or animal remains into water bodies like rivers, drains, or sewers will attract a Rs 750 fine. The rules also penalise uncovered garbage transport or damaging municipal property with fines up to Rs 2,000.
The highest fine of Rs 5,000 is reserved for creating water stagnation or unsanitary conditions posing public health risks. Enforcement duties lie with sanitation inspectors, health officers, and municipal teams, who can issue fines on the spot and involve local police if necessary.
Contextual Challenges and Cultural Nuances
The enforcement of these fines comes against the backdrop of longstanding challenges in public hygiene management in Varanasi. The city’s cultural affinity for chewing pan, a local speciality with GI status, produces regular public spitting, making complete eradication challenging.
The initiative aligns with national sanitation campaigns aimed at improving urban hygiene, especially after the heightened awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar fines have been implemented in other Indian states such as Karnataka, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat.
However, experts note that while fines can reduce visible offences, lasting behaviour change requires consistent monitoring and public education alongside enforcement. The initiative is therefore a key step but must connect with citizen engagement to be truly effective.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian commends Varanasi’s proactive measures to promote cleanliness and public health by implementing comprehensive sanitation rules.
These rules signify the importance of building a collective civic responsibility toward maintaining public spaces. However, it is vital that such enforcement is balanced with empathy, awareness campaigns, and positive dialogue to nurture community ownership of cleanliness efforts. Punitive measures alone cannot drive sustainable social change.
A culture of respect and kindness toward shared public environments, supported by education and cooperation between citizens and authorities, is essential.
