Violating waste management rules will now attract a maximum fine of ₹50,000 and imprisonment of up to one year under the laws amended as part of the ongoing garbage-free Kerala campaign.
If the violators fail to pay the fine, it will be added to public tax arrears, according to the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 and Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 promulgated last week.
The Secretary, Local Self-Government, has been empowered to enforce punitive measures and impose fines after hearing the violators by giving notice. The secretary is also empowered to assign duties to the officials of the local bodies to take necessary measures for waste management. The fine imposed by the secretary against dumping in public and private land has been increased to ₹5,000.
