The Rajasthan capital's municipal body has ordered slapping of Rs.500 cash fine on those who are found urinating or defecating at public places here, officials said Friday.

Each junior rank officer has been given the target of fining at least 20 people every day. The officials failing to meet the target will be punished, they added.

"The practice of urinating at public places is quite rampant, especially in the walled city areas which are popular among not only domestic but also foreign tourists.

The practice comes under defacement of public properties and is strictly prohibited. However, it goes on unabated," a senior Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) official told IANS.

The officer added that orders are issued from time to time to prevent people from urinating in public, but they have failed to yield any results.

"Now, a cash fine of Rs.500 will be slapped on a person who is found violating the norms. We have constituted special JMC teams to be on the vigil across the city," said the officer.
Targets have been given to the officers heading each JMC zone in the city to make them serious about the drive, he added.

"Each Zonal Officer will have to fine at least 20 people in his or her jurisdictional area. If the officer fails to meet the target, disciplinary action will be taken.

Targets are small, but the punishment for a few offenders will spread the right message among people," said the officer.

Sources in the JMC added that the orders have been issued also keeping in view the upcoming Congress 'Chintan Shivir' that is to be held here Jan 18-20.

The party is organising the 'shivir' to discuss the political and economic situation and seek new ideas ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.