Mumbai News: BMC Discontinues Clean-Up Marshal Scheme; Citizens Urged To Report Unlawful Fines

Mumbai: The Clean-Up Marshals will be off the streets starting Friday, a year after their appointment in April 2024. However, the BMC has urged citizens to immediately contact its control room if they are fined by Clean-Up Marshals after the scheme’s termination.

Originally launched in 2007, the Clean-Up Marshal scheme faced numerous suspensions and revisions over the years due to recurring grievances from the public. Citizens frequently complained about the conduct of the marshals, leading to repeated halts of the scheme.

However, it was reintroduced in April 2024, with the BMC deploying 12 agencies across 24 administrative wards. Each ward was assigned 30 marshals tasked with enforcing cleanliness and penalising offenders. Marshals were authorised to issue fines ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 for violations such as littering, spitting, and defecating in public spaces.

To enhance transparency and streamline the process, the BMC introduced a mobile app, enabling marshals to issue electronic penalty receipts. Additionally, the system allowed citizens to pay their fines online via a QR code, ensuring a more efficient and transparent mechanism.

Despite these technological advancements, the BMC continued to receive numerous complaints regarding the marshals’ misconduct, including accusations of extortion and overcharging.

As a result, the BMC has decided to discontinue the Clean-Up Marshal scheme and instead focus on strengthening the Nuisance Detection Squad, with plans to begin recruitment soon.

However, BMC officials are concerned that some marshals may continue to fine individuals even after the program ends, particularly if citizens are unaware of the changes. In such cases, the BMC urges the public to report any such incidents to its control room. Citizens can reach out at 022 – 23855128 or 022 – 23877691 (extensions 549/500).