VARANASI, Nov. 5 -- Eight people were fined for littering and spitting at public places, including ghats, during a special drive conducted by Varanasi Nagar Nigam. Over the past two days, fines were collected from the offenders under the Uttar Pradesh Solid Waste Management and Sanitation Rules, 2021, which came into effect on October 27 this year. Public relations officer Sandeep Srivasatava said that a VNN team, including zonal officer Krishna Chandra, zonal health inspector Archana Vishwakarma, Anand Kumar, and members of the enforcement wing, carried out the checking drive at the ghats ahead of Dev Deepawali. During the operation, two individuals were fined Rs.500 (Rs.250 each) for spitting after consuming gutkha at Chowki Ghat. A person was fined Rs.500 for throwing garbage at Kedar Ghat, and the amount was recovered on the spot. Additionally, Rs.250 each was collected from two people for spitting after consuming paan at Assi Ghat. A total of Rs.1,500 was also collected in fines from those found littering at Shivala Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat. A community feast was being organised at Rewa Ghat without permission, leading to littering in the area. A fine of Rs.2,000 was imposed on the organisers, Srivastava added. Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal urged citizens to refrain from littering in public places and keep their city clean, warning that anyone caught littering will be fined. htc...