In a strict step to enforce the citywide ban on waste burning, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has imposed fines ten times higher than earlier rates on four of its own sanitation workers. The action follows a media report exposing civic staff openly burning garbage despite a complete prohibition on the practice.Uniform Penalty for AllThe earlier leniency has now ended, with the revised rule applying equally to everyone. Any citizen found burning waste will face a penalty of Rs 5,000. The issue came to light when it was revealed that while private individuals and institutions were fined Rs 5,000 for burning garbage, sanitation workers were charged only Rs 500.Following public criticism, the NMC’s Solid Waste Management Department revised its policy to ensure uniform punishment. As per the new State Government guidelines (GR), every individual — irrespective of official status — will now face a mandatory fine of Rs 5,000 for burning waste.The crackdown targeted four sanitation workers from Ward No. 12 in the Dharampeth Zone — Gajra Gaur, Bharti Bagde, Saroj Khare, and Sunanda Khobragade. The fines will be directly deducted from their monthly salaries to ensure compliance.Chief Sanitation Officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle stated that supervisors will also face strict action if they fail to prevent their staff from burning waste.He added that citizens must understand that burning waste contributes significantly to air pollution and poses serious health risks to the community.
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