HCM City authorities are searching for more effective measures to fine people who litter and urinate in public.

The problem was discussed during a conference on October 14. Truong Lam Danh, head of the legal department from HCM City People's Council, said Resolution 155 and 167 already detailed fines and responsibilities in relation to littering.

"However, in reality, not many communes and wards implemented the resolution," he said. "People throwing bottles onto the road or street vendors throwing rubbish on the pavement are rarely punished. The local authorities unknowingly encouraged public littering by doing nothing."

Danh urged for stricter punishments and better public awareness marketing. Other attendees also proposed many measures to deal with the situation.

According to NA Deputy Dinh Van Hue, the locality authorities said there was a lack of staff dedicated to the issue. He agreed that it is difficult to do anything about littering and urinating in the early morning or at night. He suggested giving more authority to the local security guards, letting them record the names of the violators.

Meanwhile, NA Deputy Nguyen Thanh Tu suggested using security cameras to fine violators. NA Deputy Ly Thuy Mai said violators who couldn't afford the fines should do community service.

Deputy head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thi Thanh My admitted that responsibilities were not clear. Public littering and urinating are still common even though over 450 cases have been reported and VND1.3bn in fines have been levied since early 2018.

My proposed transferring the responsibility to the local urban order management team and construction inspection team. The collected fines will be used to maintain those teams' operation. She also agreed with the proposal to use fine violators by using CCTV cameras.

The proposals have been approved by the HCM City Vice Chairman Huynh Cach Mang.

Dtinews