Nashik: ₹10,000 Fine For Dumping Waste In Public Places, Repeat Offenders Face Prosecution

Nashik Municipal Corporation has taken a firm stance against waste dumping in public spaces. From now on, anyone caught discarding waste in such areas will be fined ₹10,000. Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri has warned that those caught repeatedly breaking the rules could face criminal prosecution under the Environment Protection Act. They may serve up to five years in prison or be fined up to ₹1 lakh.

The civic body has released guidelines to enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. These rules apply to citizens, traders, housing societies, hotels, educational institutions, and other establishments. Waste must be segregated into four categories - wet, dry, sanitary, and special-care waste - before being collected by the municipality.

Householders and businesses must segregate their waste properly. Businesses with a floor area over 20,000 sq meters, those using more than 40,000 litres of water daily, or generating more than 100 kg of waste per day are considered Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs). They must register on the Central Pollution Control Board's portal and manage their waste on-site.

New penalties have been introduced. Burning waste on a large scale now carries a fine of ₹25,000. Burning leaves, plastic, or rubber will cost ₹5,000. Open defecation costs ₹500, while urinating in public costs ₹200. Littering or dirtying roads or passages will set you back ₹180, and spitting in public places will incur a ₹150 fine.