Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has approved two ordinances to streamline waste management regulations in panchayats and municipalities. These ordinances, designed to strengthen enforcement efforts by local authorities, introduce higher fines and penalties for violations, while also requiring event organizers with over 100 attendees to obtain prior permission from local self-government (LSG) institutions and pay for waste management.

Government officials said event organisers must notify the relevant local bodies three days in advance and pay the prescribed fee for waste disposal. Those who refuse to pay the user fee for waste management services will face penalties, and the outstanding amount, along with fines and taxes, will be collected. The ordinances also grant LSGs the authority to deny services to non-compliant individuals.

The ordinances propose substantial fines for polluters, along with tax waivers and additional amenities for residents living near waste treatment facilities. Violators who pollute water bodies could face fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of up to one year. Dumping waste in public spaces could result in on-the-spot fines of up to Rs 5,000, and those failing to manage garbage in accordance with regulations could be fined between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000.

These changes to waste management rules are part of the 'Malinya Muktha Nava Keralam' campaign, with the goal of making the state free of garbage by March 2024. Local bodies have been tasked with enforcing regulations against bulk waste generators.

As of now, 422 out of the state's 1,200 local bodies have achieved 90% door-to-door waste collection, and 298 local self-government institutions have achieved between 75% and 90%. Since the campaign's launch, approximately 3,000 new members have joined the Haritha Karma Sena, which now consists of 33,378 members engaged in waste collection activities.

Since the project's initiation, the LSG department's enforcement squad has registered 4,223 cases for various violations under the 2016 solid waste management rules. Fines totaling Rs 2.48 crore have been imposed, with around Rs 50 lakh collected. The funds generated through these enforcement efforts will be used to strengthen and improve existing waste management systems.