Little proactive action by civic bodies can help curb spitting menace: Bombay HC – Times of India

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Thursday while hearing a Public interest Litigation (PIL) to curb the menace of people spitting in public places said, “a little proactive on part of municipal corporation to reach out to public at large will have a positive effect to curb the habit.’’
The HC vacation bench of Justices Amjad Sayed and Girish Kulkarni in a video conference hearing of the PIL filed and argued in person by advocate Armin Wandrewala said agreed with her that people were lowering their masks even during the covid-19 pandemic and spitting, putting others in society at risk of infection.
The civic administration had informed the HC that it had sought to amend by-laws of 2006 to raise fines from Rs 200 to Rs 1200 for those found spitting on public streets.
The HC had on April 7 said “it defies logic’’ how BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been collecting Rs 200 as fine when Act mandates Rs 1200 and had directed the civic body and state to look at the suggestions given by Wandrewalla and consider those it found acceptable.
On Thursday, Wandrewalla said the BMC has a provision for community service, one of her suggestions, which she said would prove to be a greater deterrent as spitting is something people across all stratas of society are seen to be doing. The state had said under the police powers there is no provision for ‘community service’ for an offender.
The HC asked her to submit a chart of the suggestions accepted by BMC and State and posted the matter to June 2 for further hearing.
The bench orally remarked that later too, after the pandemic ends, the BMC ought to ensure that there are adequate signages and maybe placards at railway stations and bus stops to make people aware that spitting is not acceptable and an offence carrying a fine.