Kerala: HC cracks down on garbage

KOCHI: Expressing serious concern over the possible health hazards by waste dumping on public places, the Kerala High court on Monday banned dumping of solid waste on roadsides and at public places. Issuing an order banning dumping of waste wrapped in plastic carry bags or any other non-biodegradable materials  at public places, the HC directed the police to take stringent action against the offenders and prosecute them. Violators can get a punishment of maximum six months’  imprisonment under Section 269 and a fine according to the gravity of the offence. If a case is registered under Section 278, the accused may have to pay a fine of `500.A Division Bench comprising Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Justice P S Gopinathan passed the  order while considering a petition filed by the Kerala Federation of Women Lawyers seeking a directive to the government to prevent all kinds of health hazards caused by solid waste being thrown in plastic bags at public places.The court held that the DGP has to issue instructions to all police stations to conduct patrol in urban areas and take action against whoever dumps or disposes waste in plastic bags at public places and on roadside in the state. “The state should also inform the municipal authorities and its agencies to instruct persons engaged in collection of waste not to take solid waste in plastic bags,” the court said.The court said any person on getting information of dumping of waste can lodge a  complaint before the police. The police should conduct investigation and start prosecution procedure against the accused under Section 268 read with 269 (public nuisance) and 278 (making atmosphere noxious to health) of IPC along with applicable provisions of the municipal laws. “The police and the govt should ensure that this order is complied with in the same way as prohibition of smoking in public places. The government should consider legislation for waste collection and treatment,’’ the court said and added that the state should file compliance report within two weeks.