In a surprising revelation, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has disclosed that a substantial number of residents have collectively paid fines amounting to a staggering Rs 1.24 crores over the last ten months due to various unsanitary behaviours. The concerning statistics underscore a significant gap in citizen participation despite PMC’s annual investment of Rs 500 to 600 crores in maintaining the cleanliness of the city.
While Pune prides itself on being a vibrant metropolis, the lack of civic responsibility among its residents has led to an increasing burden on PMC. In comparison to cities like Indore, which enforce fines of 12 to 15 lakhs annually, Pune is falling behind in encouraging citizen involvement in cleanliness initiatives.
The fines, a consequence of various unsanitary behaviours such as spitting, urinating in public places, littering, burning garbage, improper waste disposal, and selling banned plastic, are indicative of a pressing need for heightened awareness and commitment to cleanliness among Pune’s residents.
The fines collected from the 26,863 individuals break down as follows:
- Uncleanliness in Public Places: Rs 69 lakh
- Construction Works: Rs 11 lakh 19 thousand
- Spitting in Public Places: Rs 10 lakhs
- Non-Segregation of Waste: Rs 3 lakh 52 thousand
- Waste Burning: Rs 4 lakh 12 thousand
- Other Offenses: Rs 25 lakhs
Health inspectors from the regional office of PMC have played a crucial role in implementing these penalties. The actions taken from January 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023, signify the city’s commitment to cracking down on unsanitary behaviours and cultivating a cleaner, healthier environment.
Despite the enforcement of penalties, the relatively low amount collected and the number of prosecuted citizens highlight the need for a more robust awareness campaign. Pune must strive to bridge the gap between municipal efforts and citizen participation to ensure a cleaner and more responsible community.
