India, Feb. 6 -- In a first-of-its-kind move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to authorise junior supervisors to impose penalties for civic offences and enter housing societies to take action against the burning of garbage.

The decision follows the notification of revised Solid Waste Management (SWM) bye-laws and includes a significant expansion of the role of junior supervisors, who were earlier limited to supervising sweeping operations and garbage transportation.

Around 350 junior supervisors will now be empowered to penalise offences such as littering, spitting, garbage burning and other hygiene- and sanitation-related violations. They will be issued authorisation certificates allowing them to enter housing ...