Soon, Clean-up Marshalls to catch litterbugs on streets

Retd armymen may be roped in to penalise violators

 Think before you spit and litter in public. ‘Clean-up Marshalls’ are watching you. In an attempt ensure clean neighbourhoods, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has planned to deploy these ‘marshals’ to keep vigil and penalise those who lack civic sense.

The new concept was mooted by palike Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad here at the “Hasiru Habba” programme, which was hosted by Hasiru Dala and Clean City Recyclers Association (CCRA) for ragpickers.

He later told Deccan Herald, “The BBMP would rope in retired army personnel, who would be deployed in all the wards. These ‘marshalls’, in uniforms, will be empowered to penalise those littering public spaces.

“There are more than 25,000 pourakarmikas going door-to-door and roughly 30,000 ragpickers. In spite of all this, a few continue to throw garbage from windows and also from vehicles leading to blackspots. This must come to an end,” he said.

He added there was already a discussion to introduce the Clean-up Marshal concept with Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George as well as mayor Manjunath Reddy.

Identity cards

Responding to a request, the Commissioner also promised to provide identity cards to all the ragpickers in the city. Earlier, Indira, a ragpicker from JC Nagar, said the police and also the public considered ragpickers and scrap dealers as thieves. “But, people now recognise us thanks to BBMP identity cards,” she said.

In her address, Nalini Shekar of Hasiru Dala said there are approximately over 20,000 ragpickers and an estimated 10,000 scrap dealers in the city, recycling 1,050 tonnes of waste saving about 84 crores annually in collection and transportation of waste. Besides, the organisers also submitted a memorandum to the BBMP seeking healthcare for migrant ragpickers, special housing scheme and support for micro enterprises.

Meanwhile, AN Yellappa Reddy, member of Lok Adalat also hailed the contribution2 of ragpickers in keeping the city clean. Akkai Padmashali, transgender rights activist was part of the programme.

Ragpickers for a big task

Responding to a request by one of the organisers, Palike Commissioner Manjunath Prasad said the BBMP would consider handing over one of the wards to ragpickers to manage collection and transportation of waste. On behalf of ragpickers, NS Ramakanth, waste management expert and member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table promised the Commissioner that ragpickers would ensure the given ward would be a model one in terms of cleanliness.