VietNamNet Bridge – The Hoan Kiem District police in Ha Noi have slapped a woman with a fine of VND6 million (US$266) for littering a pavement.

Littering in public places can result in a fine of between VND5-7 million ($222-311).

She was caught red-handed throwing rubbish on a pavement on Phu Doan Street on Tuesday.

Under the Government’s new decree on administrative penalties relating to environmental protection, which came into effect on February 1, people will be fined between VND5 million ($222) and VND7 million ($311) for littering streets, pavements or sewages in residential areas.

The district’s police are working on a campaign, starting from Saturday, to check and punish violations relating to urban order.

In Cau Giay District, over the past few days, authorised forces punished more than VND60 million ($2,660) on 21 people for violating the new Government regulation, including discharging waste water, littering and urinating in public places and spilling construction materials on streets.

Violations related to environmental protection mentioned in the decree include violations of laws on waste management, machines, import of materials and biological substances and mineral exploitation. The decree also includes violations concerning biological diversity, natural ecology and animal protection.

The highest administrative fine for individuals caught violating environmental protection rules is VND1 billion ($44,400), while the highest fine for an organisation is VND2 billion ($88,800).

VNS