During the anti-insanitation drive launched under the supervision of Medical Officer of Health (MOH) S.S. Cheema, a sum of Rs 35,000 was realised as fine from the defaulters who were allegedly found making the city dirty. Apart from the residents, shopkeepers, hoteliers, industry and government department have also been booked for throwing filth and dirty water in the corridors and common places.

It was also observed during the course of the drive that the people lacked civic sense and threw dirty water, garbage and construction materials in the open spaces which caused nuisance for the residents.

Meanwhile, the Corporation has placed four dumper placers, four new tractors, one water tanker equipped with sprinkler and 460 hand carts into the service of the Health Department for the speedy disposal of garbage. The Corporation has deployed 100 daily wagers in addition to its present strength of safai karamcharis for 89 days to make the cleanliness drive a success.

Cautioning the residents against dumping malba and construction materials on road-sides, Municipal Commissioner S.K. Gathwal has urged them to throw garbage at the designated disposal points in their respective areas. The drive remains in force and the violation of Municipal norms will be taken seriously, he said.

The commissioner disclosed that about 325 unauthorised structures were demolished and 9,925 cattle caught between January and December 1998 and Rs 20.22 lakh was recovered as fine from dairy owners. Two private firms - Sharma Associates and Capital Security Service - were penalised for failure to complete the sanitation work up to the mark, he added.