BMC's clean-up marshals to return but with less powers

The eyes that caught people spitting or urinating on the streets are going to be back again. The clean-up marshals drive is going to be re-launched in a month. But this time around their powers have been drastically clipped.

The marshals could fine people caught littering public spaces almost up to Rs20,000. But now an upper limit is being fixed on the fines levied.

“The marshals can now only charge a fine up to Rs10,000. The amount to be charged as a fine in accordance with the act of littering the public space will be decided,” said a senior civic official.

The BMC had launched the ‘Clean Mumbai’ campaign in 2007 under which 373 marshals were hired. The scheme was facing wrath from the BMC’s political wing. Corporators scrapped the drive in December 2010 accusing the marshals of exhorting money and high handedness.

The BMC claimed that a renewed plan to tidy the streets will be implemented from January 1. But it has been delayed over by two months.

Initially, four agencies were given the task to maintain the public space, with each agency given around 10-12 wards. “This time around, one agency will be given only three to four wards,” he added.

Moreover, the BMC is toying with the idea to enrol nuisance detectors who will stop people from dirtying city, without slapping any fine.

The marshals were also authorised to fine medical practitioners who did not segregate bio-medical waste. However, the civic administration is contemplating to discontinue this practice.