Urinating in Public - Disgusting Habit to Now Invite Fine
Anjana Ramakrishnan
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 19: Walking through the busy streets of Mangalore, trying to enjoy the beauty that an early morning has to offer, I am rather repelled by the sight I see. Men urinating in public! And this happens on a daily basis.
In the corner of busy streets, on footpaths, in secluded areas and literally everywhere that we walk, this is the sight! The funniest thing that I have noticed is that people have adopted it as a part of their daily routine and they close their eyes to this disgusting behaviour. And we talk about curbing pollution!
Things have come to such an extent that some of the roads and streets are termed as “public urinals” because of their disgusting odour. People find it convenient to just stop by any corner of the street whenever they feel the need, do their business and walk away as if it was no big deal!
Why is it that we are forced to see people urinating openly on the streets no matter what time of the day or night it is? Is it the carelessness of the government to look into such issues? Or is it the ignorance of the people? Or is it because people have accepted it and feel that there is no need to make such a hue and cry about such a ‘petty’ issue?
Many a time, the public complain over this issue, reasoning the shortage of public toilets as the main culprit that forces them to urinate in the open, thus defending themselves. "If there are no public toilets nearby and we have to empty our bladder... what other option do we have?" was the response of one person. Hello…is it so difficult to wait until you reach home, or use a restaurant's washroom?
My question is how can we see this as a petty issue when our own small children and sisters walk through the streets and have to face such sights??? Is it acceptable if our kids are exposed to such offensive sights even in the middle of the roads? From when on have we started to become so ignorant and selfish?
We say that throwing garbage on the street causes the whole area to stink and hence add up to pollution. What about urinating in public areas? Doesn’t it stink??Doesn’t it cause pollution of any kind?
Once when in Bangalore, I came across a man, who, in spite of having a public toilet right next to where he stood, chose to urinate on the footpath outside it and that too in the clear vicinity of a policeman who stood rooted to his spot as if nothing untoward was happening. Clearly, ‘ignorance’ is the name that can be given for such contemptible acts. Such people should be caught on the spot, defamed and fined heavily.
Public urination should be made a crime in India, and people who choose to empty their bladder in public places should be heavily penalized. Such people should also be charged with littering, public nuisance, indecent exposure and any other possible things that their outrageous behavior causes.
Even in Mangalore, literally everywhere we can see such violators. Be it Jyothi circle, Hampankatta, Kankanady or State Bank area!
Awareness among the public can be created by distributing pamphlets explaining the problems caused by urinating in the open, more so for others rather than themselves!
Installing public toilets in busy streets, creating awareness and education among people and motivating them to stop littering and urinating in public, can all be adopted as a preventive measure. Still if people choose to pollute the streets, I personally feel that they should ‘pay the price’ for their ignorance.
Penalty
DHNS Inputs
However, now, in a positive move as part of its proposed amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC), bye-laws, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has proposed to impose a fine of Rs 100 on whoever is found urinating or spitting in public. On September 20 it will present before the Palike Council a list of fines prescribed against offenders. This move comes as a part of its initiative to clear garbage from the city streets.
Under Schedule-IA (schedule of fines), the BBMP has proposed a fine of Rs 100 for the offences, besides a fine of Rs 200 for littering the roads. A fine of Rs 100 was proposed for “burning of waste” by citizens.
As a part of its “Swacha Angala” programme, the Palike has provided a warning or “familiarisation” period of one month, during which fines will not be imposed. Once the period expires, the Palike will start penalising the offenders.
“For repeated offenders, the fines charged will be double the initial amount,” according to the draft proposal. Sources in the Palike said the BBMP will set up squads to catch the offenders red-handed. “For now, it is only a proposal.
Once implemented, squads are also likely to be formed,” said an official.
The schedule also mentions a penalty of Rs 500 for “not disposing of (non-household) fish, poultry and meat waste in the segregated manner as specified.” Besides, pet owners will be fined Rs 50 every time their pets relieve on roads.