Gujarat society charges Rs 100 from vendors to keep clean

In a bid to keep their society premises clean, the Shilalekh Cooperative Housing Society from Shahibaugh, Ahmedabad has been charging monthly cleanliness rent not just from its residents but also from vendors who enter the society to sell their products.

The local vendors have to deposit a token amount of Rs 100 per month to get access into Shilalekh.

"We are charging from the people who are delivering milk, newspapers, and vegetables in society. That is a token amount we are charging. Many times, some vendors throw their leftovers in open," said Mahesh Jain treasure of the society. There are 460 flats and 13 towers in the society, where more than 2,000 people reside.

"It is necessary to have cleanliness discipline. There are certain set of rules for the residents regarding cleanliness and for those visiting the premises," said Jain.

"People are mature and responsible, but unless and until they are not charged, they don't value the rules. Hence, we charge them. We issue three month's entry pass to the vendors, only those vendors are allowed who have our pass," added the secretary.

The society members claim that their overall garbage production has decreased by 90 per cent. "We are charging a token amount of Rs 100 per month from the vendors. We don't have intention to earn anything from it," said Ketan Mehta, one of the residents. One of the vendors said, "We don't have any problem of paying for the pass. It is good that we are getting some kind of identification."

LOCAL TAKE

We are charging from the people who are delivering milk, newspapers, and vegetables in society. That is a token amount we are charging. Many times, some vendors throw their leftovers in open,” said Mahesh Jain treasurer of the society.