Mangaluru: Talapady Gram Panchayat has imposed a penalty of ₹2,000 on a hotel owner for illegally dumping garbage on the roadside and setting it on fire, as part of efforts to curb improper waste disposal in Dakshina Kannada.

The action was taken on July 1 after the violation came to light during an inspection conducted by the Swachh Bharat Mission team.

Violation detected during inspection

The incident was detected when the Swachh Bharat Mission District Coordinator inspected areas falling under the jurisdictions of Kinya, Belma and Talapady gram panchayats.

During the inspection, garbage dumped along the roadside and subsequently set on fire was traced to a hotel operating within the Talapady Gram Panchayat limits.

Following the inspection, the matter was brought to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat.

Panchayat imposes penalty

Acting on the directions of the Chief Executive Officer, the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of Talapady Gram Panchayat was summoned to the spot and instructed to initiate action against the violator.

The Gram Panchayat imposed a fine of ₹2,000 on the hotel owner for violating waste management norms.

Officials also issued a warning to the hotel owner, directing that garbage should not be dumped on roadsides or disposed of by burning.

Officials asked to strengthen monitoring

The Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has instructed local gram panchayat officials to maintain continuous surveillance against illegal dumping of waste and to take prompt action whenever violations are detected.

Officials have also been directed to ensure regular monitoring of roadside areas to prevent indiscriminate disposal of garbage.

The Swachh Bharat Mission team further recommended that gram panchayats organise awareness programmes to educate residents, commercial establishments and businesses on proper waste management practices.

The campaign aims to encourage people to dispose of garbage only at authorised collection points and designated waste disposal facilities, thereby preventing environmental pollution and maintaining public hygiene.

The latest action underscores the district administration’s focus on enforcing sanitation rules and promoting responsible waste disposal under the Swachh Bharat Mission.