Clean-up marshals are back

Nearly five months after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation scrapped the Clean-Up Marshals Scheme,the civic body has re-introduced the campaign. Certain provisions of the scheme have been modified to check misuse of power by the marshals.

The scheme,introduced in 2007,came under fire last year after clean-up marshals were alleged to have been involved in misuse of power. It was alleged that marshals were targeting hospitals,clinics and construction sites as these attracted the highest penalty— Rs 20,000. Many of them allegedly extorted money from doctors by threatening fines . Construction/debris waste and bio-medical waste have been excluded from the scheme now. To ensure fairness,third party auditors will keep an eye on marshals to see that money collected in penalties reaches the civic body. All marshals will now report to the ward officer who will have to give a daily report. A ward has around 25 marshals.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said the BMC will ensure that the scheme is not misused. An official said a new clause allows penalising marshals and their appointing agency for wrong doings such as not being in uniform while on duty and delay in deposition of the 50 per cent share of the fine amount with the ward office. Marshals will be appointed after police verification and will require at least a high school degree to be eligible for the job.

Corporators,however,continue to be sceptical about the scheme. Congress corporator Sameer Desai said,“Is this a drive to clean the city or to earn revenue? The scheme has failed to make even one street litter-free,” Meanwhile,the proposal to renew the contract of five private agencies has been passed in the civic Standing Committee.