State Plans to Hike Anti-Spit Fines, Collect it on the Spot | Kolkata news

State Plans to Hike Anti-Spit Fines, Collect it on the Spot | Kolkata news

Kolkata: The Bengal Govt May Bring a Bill Adding More Teeth to its existing anti-spectting laws, adding provisions for Increased Fines which have to be paid on the spot.
CM Mamata bnerjeeIn a cabinet meeting on tuesday, stressed the need for Stronger Vigilance and Implementation of Anti-Spitting Laws, A Senior Official Said. The CM, highlighting personal experiences, also mentioned how the vidyasagar setu toll plaza walls (on which she commutes daily to nabanna) are completely defacing with betel leaf spots, the official SAid.
She Told Senior Officials and Cabinet Colleagues that Despite The State Making Efforts to Keep the City Clean, Public Places are stained with Spits. The bridges and flyovers, she also pointed out, have been defeated with the spits.
The West Bengal Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act, 2001, and the West Bengal Prevention of Spitting in Public Place Act, 2003, Have Penal Provisions. The 2001 Act is more Severe, Punishing Offenders with a Fine of Up to Rs 1,000 for the first offense, and up to Rs 5,000 for Subsequent offenses. However, the law gives more teeth to penalise smokers by arresting them. The West Bengal Prevention of Spitting in Public Place Act, 2003, Allows Prosecuting Agencies to Impose a rs 200 Fine.
But none of them has the provision for on-the-spot fin as the offenders are handed out challans.
During the cabinet meeting on tuesday, bnerjee reepeatedly enquired wheether prosecuting agencies clock collect the fines on the spot. This is not the first time that she has flagged this issue. She earlier proposed tough laws to curb spitting in public. The Bengal Govt Had Set Up a Special Panel of 11 Members in 2018, Headed by the then Chief Secretary Moloy De and Including Various Departmental Secretaries as Its Members, to Check Spitting in Public Plating.
The Railways, Too, Have Facted This Problem in Kolkata on the Metro Premies. The RPF, under the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanlines at Railway Premies) Rules, 2012, are Empowered to Impose Rs 500 Spot Fine.
A Senior Official said, “Subject to the law department’s nod, the proposed bill will be tabled in the Assembly Budget Session.” The session is likely to start on Feb 10.

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