Govt to introduce stricter laws to check spitting, littering in public places

MP | 20 -11- 2018 | Kolkata: The state government is set to introduce stricter laws by amending the existing ones to check spitting and littering in public places, to ensure a "clean and green" Bengal.

A high level committee headed by Chief Secretary Malay De has been set up, to prepare a plan of action to ensure the same.

The other members of the committee are Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya, Director General of Police Virendra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department Rajiva Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary of the state Environment department Indevar Pandey, Commissioner of Kolkata Police Rajeev Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Public Works Department Arnab Roy, Principal Secretary of the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department Subrata Gupta, Secretary of the Housing department Onkar Singh Meena and Commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Khalil Ahmed.

At the same time, the state government will carry out a massive campaign to create awareness among people. Moreover, police will also be keeping a watch and inform if beautification of any waterbody needs to be carried out at any place.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a high level meeting at Nabanna in this connection. Firhad Hakim, the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister and Aroop Biswas, the state Public Works Department minister, held a Press conference after the meeting.

While addressing a programme outside Nabanna, the Chief Minister urged local clubs to take steps to keep their respective areas clean.

Hakim said: "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said in the meeting that we have to take this (checking spitting and littering at public places) as our next challenge. Massive infrastructure development including projects like setting up of skywalk and floating market is taking place in the city. But there is a section of people who spit at and litter public places. We have to keep in mind that it is our state and it is our duty to keep it clean."

"We will carry out a massive statewide campaign to ensure a green and clean Bengal. At the same time, policemen will be informing if beatification of any waterbody under the jurisdiction of respective police

station areas is needed,"

Hakim said, adding that steps would also be taken for better solid waste management. The modern technology available for the same will also be looked into.

Hakim further said that Biswas has been given the responsibility to check the same in state-run hospitals.

It may be mentioned that a person was slapped with a Rs 1,001 fine for spitting inside the recently inaugurated skywalk at Dakshineswar.