It will not be just fine for BMC

It will not be just fine for BMC
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MARCH 2: The fines are in place. But is it really fine where the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) campaign against spitting, littering and defecating in public is concerned?

There is skepticism in civic circles about BMC's hopes of raking in an estimated penalty amount to the tune of about Rs 25 crore annually. And there are apprehensions of a rise in corruption among the ranks of the nuisance detection squads with the steep increase in fines for these offences.

The state government amended the Bombay Police Act of 1951 to hike the fines by some 12 times. For example the fine for urinating or spitting in public has risen from Rs 100 to Rs 1,200.

Last year the BMC collected Rs 2.20 crore by way of such fines. Going by that estimate the new charges should rake in about Rs 25 crore especially as the number of persons in the nuisance detection squads has been increased recently from 92 to 250 and the number of vans given to them being 50.

But in practice many questions still remain unanswered. For example how many of those caught spitting will have the necessary Rs 1,200 in their pockets? How many people can the BMC detain?

Most pertinent is the question relating to corruption. Will the officers find it more convenient to charge an arbitary amount and then let the erring citizen go?

Former Deputy Mayor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator, Dr Ram Barot, voices these apprehensions, ``The hike in penalities is definitely good news. But I am afraid corruption will increase likewise.'' He adds that stringent rules are however necessary to improve conditions in the city.

Speaking out in defence of the BMC plan, Leader of the House, Digamber Kanderkar asked candidly whether corruption could ever be weeded out. Admitting there was a dearth in the number of bins and spittons provided in the city, Kandekar added that for now storm water drains or gutters could always be used for the purpose.

Leader of Samajwadi party, Yusuf Abrahani said that the decision to hike the penalities would have a deterrent effect. ``Before spitting people will at least think twice,'' he said. He also noted that the Corporation should get serious about providing facilities once it collects these hiked fines.

However Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Chandrashekar Rokde completely ruled out the possibilities of providing spittons. ``Installing spitoons doesn't fit in our scheme of things. We are working towards providing more toilets and they could be used for spitting too.''

Rokde noted that earlier collecting the fines was counter-productive as the fines did not cover the costs of the nuisance detector squads, the vehicles and necessary security.

The BMC collected Rs 24 lakh in December last year from 25,000 cases. The figures rose to Rs 28 lakh in January from 29,000 cases,said Rokde. The total amount collected was to the tune of Rs 2.20 crore.