West Bengal Introduces Fines for Spitting and Littering to Improve Cleanliness
2 sources · India
Who reported this
- The Indian Express
- Hindustan Times
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Every source for this story reports from India.
The West Bengal government has introduced penalties for spitting, defecating, and dumping waste on roads in Kolkata and other cities and towns. According to state urban development minister Agnimitra Paul, the fines range from 100 to 200 rupees. Spitting on the road attracts a 100 rupee penalty, while urinating and dumping waste or banned plastic carry bags below 125 microns carry a 200 rupee fine.
Minister Paul stated that the motive is to generate awareness rather than collect revenue, citing Indore as a model for cleanliness. To support the initiative, the government is installing urinals, bag vending machines, and dustbins in markets, bus stands, and near railway stations. Dustbins will not be placed in residential areas to prevent illegal dumping; instead, municipal collectors will gather dry and wet waste from doorsteps.
Enforcement will be managed via a mobile app used by authorized personnel, with at least two designated workers per ward. These officials will photograph the offense and upload the offender's details to generate a QR code for digital payment. Naveen Kumar Chandra, director of the State Urban Development Agency, noted that an SOP is being prepared for offline collections. Future plans include a QR code based door to door waste collection system to track daily pickups and allow residents to lodge complaints.
How each side framed it
- Centre
- The center lean outlet focused on the start of the crackdown and the specific fines for citizens.
- Centre-right
- The center-right lean outlet provided detailed administrative explanations and the government's stated goals of awareness and urban improvement.
Sources
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