By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: March 27 - Muscat Municipality has got serious with its efforts to ensure high quality of living for the city population.
On Sunday, a ministerial decision No 55/2017 was issued determining penalties for violations of Muscat Municipality orders. The first article of the decision, which was published in the Official Gazette, said: “The imposition of administrative sanctions on violation of local orders No 23/97, 1/2001, 1/2006, and administrative decision No 168/20111, RO 50 for every day that the violation continues for 60 days. If it continues, the permit shall be cancelled and the violator shall not be allowed to issue a new license before six months from the date of cancellation.”
The most common offense, both knowingly and unknowingly, committed by the people, is that littering in public places.
Under the new law, throwing litter on the streets, wadis or near fenced walls could lead to penalties that include a fine up to RO 1,000.
The law states that the penalties will be doubled if the offense is repeated.
In a strong message to commercial establishments, the authority said that the waste disposable should be done only at places dedicated for these activities.
The fine for such violations will be up to RO 100, which will be doubled with stricter actions if the offense is repeated.
Workers employed with commercial establishments, including restaurants and coffee shops, will be strictly penalised for all types of violations.
If an employee is found smoking at the workplace or short of public hygiene, he will be fined RO 50, followed by stricter penalties for repeated violations.
Employees, however, will be given time to make amends to their shortcomings.
Employees who try to run away from the premises at the time of inspections by the local authorities will be fined RO 200.
The new law has been determined taking into account the smallest of elements key to public health. Though Muscat is one of the cleanest places in the region, littering is still seen as a major problem here. “People show no civic responsibility and just leave the trash behind in parks, beaches and even outside shops.
They feel it is the duty of the civic cleaning staff, which is absolutely wrong,” feels Abdullah al Khalili.
“Hefty fines will be a deterrent but that does not offer a complete solution because there should be change in the mindset.”
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