While there was much criticism heaped on the idea of garbage marshalls not being able to do their job due to the lack of help from the cops, residents and BBMP officials, the news is that they were still able to collect Rs 22 lakh as fines in January 2020. There are 198 marshalls, one in every BBMP ward today.
Buoyed by their pro-activism, the chief minister has today given them mobile point-of-sale machines to collect spot fines themselves. This would speed up revenue collections and it is expected to bring more money into the coffers, and also make the marshalls more powerful.
Most of the violations they caught happen to be against people and establishments violating the rules of Solid Waste Management like not segregating the garbage, dumping mixed waste into the stormwater drains, burning garbage, and also not heeding to the plastic ban, among others.
The residents love the idea and want the enforcement to spread across the city, and also include offences like smoking in public, particularly near schools, parks and religious places. One person said, “This looks fantastic. Unless the fine pinches the violators, their behaviour won’t change. Please announce this over loud speakers using the garbage collection autos in zones where there is indiscriminate dumping. Please keep this momentum and fine everyone who is defacing our city.” Another resident pointed out the public urination by government officials too. “Great job by the team. Keep an eye on BMTC drivers and conductors; they are used to open urination on ITPL main road! This happens every day.”
The other residents want the marshalls to visit their areas too. Some places include: Kengunte circle to Dr. AIT college, in front of IIPM campus, Dr AIT campus entrance, Rustambagh (Old Airport Road) and KIADB area in Whitefield. They complained that these areas are known for incidents of open urination, littering and street vendors creating nuisance by selling cigarettes and contrabands.
Kshitij Sharma said that Road No. 7, KIADB area, Whitefield is famous for traffic congestion and illegal shops. “There are so many taxis and cars creating jams and slowing traffic,” he informed the BBMP commissioner. Similarly, he spoke about the roadside vending. “These shops are illegal and garbage is thrown all around. Pourakarmikas have a tough time in this area. If you can’t control it, please make it legal and take taxes from these shops. At least our property taxes will come down.”
Ram Mohan P is upset with potholes across the city and tweeted to the commissioner with this retort: “We citizens need to collect fines from BBMP for the innumerable potholes.”
The economics of this exercise that began in September 2019 makes for some interesting reading. While Rs 8.5 crore is being spent on 232 marshalls (only 198 of these ex-defence personnel are on the field for lack of hands), the revenue from fines is less than Rs 2 crore per year, according to estimates. In addition, there are issues being faced by the marshalls that are detailed in another news report. Will all these problems be resolved and make the marshalls more viable and effective remains to be seen.
