Activists complain as showroom burns old papers; NMMC penalizes Rs 250 only

NAVI MUMBAI: A city based social activist, Madhu Shankar, was surprised to see that the staff of a Vashi based automobile showroom was burning their old papers and discarded documents on the public footpath, causing smoke and pollution.

While Shankar contacted the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to complain about this offence, the civic staffers from Vashi `C' ward did inspect the site, but penalized the showroom management a sum of Rs 250 only.

When Shankar had enquired about the papers being set on fire in the open, the shop people bluntly told her it is none of her business.

Shankar also called up the police control room which said the police cannot do anything.

She informed the civic ward officer Sagar More who quickly stepped in and stopped the burning and said he would impose a penalty on the shop.

``On one hand, I was thankful to the NMMC for immediately reaching the spot at Vashi after my complaint; however, it feels like a cruel joke that the showroom was only charged a penalty of Rs 250. Perhaps, a few more stringent sections dealing with air pollution could have been applied,'' remarked Shankar.

Alert Citizens Committee (ACT) convenor and activist B N Kumar too drew the attention of the police commissioner and the civic body to this.

Kumar wondered why and how the police are not concerned about such incidents which are quite common in the city. It is not only about pollution from the smoke and the burnt paper, but about public safety. Burning papers can fly in the air and cause damage in the neighborhood.

Kumar pointed out that the police do not allow burning of effigies in public during agitations.

Kumar and Shankar said there are several ways of disposing of unwanted paper. One could shred them or sell them to old paper traders.

The local civic staff said that they did attend to the complaint, and perhaps further inquiry can be done at a later stage.
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