Next time you have the urge to spit or throw that wrapper on the road, think twice. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will soon implement stringent anti-littering laws, under which if you are caught spitting, urinating, littering, or bathing in a public place, you’d have to pay a hefty penalty. The new anti-littering law is being put up in place, so if the fine now is `50, it just might cost you anywhere between `200-500 in the future. Wise Delhiites discuss if this would deter law breakers.
Shalini Jha, a media professional avers, “The stringent anti-littering law might force the educated lot to revive their civic sense and be more civilised. But what about the thousands of homeless who wander on the streets? Can the hefty penalty ensure that these slum dwellers and beggars consciously stop urinating or bathing under the open sky on prominent traffic lights. If MCD enforces this law they should make an alternative arrangement for this underprivileged segment of the population. If need be, take an initiative to impart basic hygiene education through a life-skills based approach.”
It may not be fair to discriminate between who does it and who doesn’t? But MCD must take measures to upgrade its services. Says Ruchi Kapur Mishra, “The fine is surely heavy on one’s pocket and it may deter habitual offenders, but the MCD must also set up more public toilets and spittoons, so that nobody gets an excuse to do their business at any corner. ”
Communication consultant Taruna Singh believes that despite paid public toilets, some just do it out of habit.
She says, “Getting people to pay for such disgusting habits will definitely help break the habit. Stringent measures will help, but I feel that if there were enough bins, then people wouldn’t litter. So, instead of penalising people, they should first try giving them an option of using dustbins.”