BMC pulls out clean-up marshalls

According to an official,“The first proposal is that the BMC should continue the clean-up marshalls scheme,but reduce the fines to a maximum of Rs 5,000 from the previous Rs 20,000. Under the second scheme,the deparment has proposed to fill the vacant posts of nuisance detectors who collects fines for BMC.” Currently,the BMC has 30 nuisance detectors while the total posts are 102. Under the third proposal,the department has asked the Municipal Commissioner to give powers to its staff members who are interested in doing the task of fine collection,according to the official.

The BMC had faced opposition from corporators who sought the withdrawal of clean-up marshal campaign,as they alleged the marshals were extorting money from the common man. The scheme which was introduced over two years back has earned the civic administration a revenue of over Rs 16 crore so far.

Under the old scheme,the marshalls would collect fines for littering,spitting,defecating,not delivering construction waste in a segregated manner and the amounts ranged from Rs 100 to Rs 20,000. The marshalls were not paid salaries,but got 50 per cent of the fines collected on a monthly basis.