CIA 3

LITTER (CONTROL AND PREVENTION) ACT, 2024

SUBJECT: INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES

SUBJECT CODE: LAW862

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Madhu Vasanth N (2050422) Dr PUKHRAJ AGARWAL

Class: 8 BBA LLB A ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be

University) University)
 LITTER (CONTROL AND PREVENTION) ACT, 2024

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Sections

PART I – PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title and Commencement

2. Definitions

PART II - AUTHORITIES UNDER THE ACT

3. Duties of Local Authorities

4. Enforcement Officers
5. Police Officers to assist
6. Appeals
PART III - OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
7. Prohibition of Littering in Public Place
8. Illegal Dumping
9. Disposal of litter from motor vehicle or trailer
10. Offenses by Corporations
11. Offender may be ordered to clean premises
12. Penalty not otherwise provided for
PART IV - MISCELLANEOUS
13. Litter-Free Events
14. Vendors to provide waste bins for disposing of litter
15. Community Participation
16. Regulations
17. Miscellaneous

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 LITTER (CONTROL AND PREVENTION) ACT, 2024

ACT NO. 22 OF 2024

[31st March 2024]

An Act to regulate and prevent littering in public places, promote environmental hygiene, and
ensure the well-being of citizens.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

PART I

PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title and Commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Litter (Control and Prevention) Act, 2024.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Appellate Authority” means the National Environment Appellate Authority

established under sub-section (1) of section 3 of The National Environment Appellate
Authority Act, 1997
(b) "Approved site" means a site established by the Central Government, or by any
person with the approval of the Local Authorities, as a site for the deposit and
disposal of litter.
(c) “Litter” means any waste material, including but not limited to plastic, paper, glass,
food wrappers, cigarette butts, and other discarded items.
(d) “Littering” refers to the act of dropping or leaving litter on the ground in public places
without proper consent or in an unsuitable location, rather than disposing of them
correctly.
(e) “Local Authorities” shall mean a municipal corporation or committee, a district board,
a cantonment board or a body of port commissioners, or any other authority legally

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 entitled to , or entrusted by the Central Government or any State Government with,
the control or management of a municipal or local fund constituted for the purpose of
local self-government or village administration.
(f) “Motor Vehicle” for the purposes of this Act shall mean the same as defined in
Section 2 (28) of the The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
(g) “Public Place” means any area accessible to the public, including streets, parks,
markets, beaches, and public transportation facilities.

PART II

AUTHORITIES UNDER THE ACT

3. Duties of Local Authorities

(1) Local authorities shall designate litter-free zones within their jurisdiction and such
designated litter-free zones shall be prominently marked.
(2) Local authorities shall establish efficient litter collection and disposal systems.
(3) They shall collaborate with waste management agencies to ensure timely removal of
litter.
(4) They shall provide adequate waste bins and promote awareness campaigns on litter
prevention.
(5) Local authorities shall recognize and reward areas maintaining high standards of
cleanliness.

4. Enforcement Officers

(1) Local authorities shall appoint enforcement officers to monitor littering.

(2) Such officers shall have the authority to issue fines and warnings.
(3) Authorized officers may enter premises suspected of littering for inspection.
(4) Non-cooperation shall lead to penalties.

5. Police Officers to assist

(1) It shall be the duty of all officers and constables of police to aid and assist in carrying
out the provisions of this Act and preventing breaches thereof.

6. Appeals

(1) Any person aggrieved by a penalty may appeal to the appropriate appellate authority.
(2) The appellate authority shall decide the appeal within 30 days.

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 PART III

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

7. Prohibition of Littering in Public Place

(1) No person shall intentionally or negligently litter in any public place.

(2) Violation of this provision shall be punishable with a fine not exceeding ₹5,000 for
the first offense and ₹10,000 for subsequent offenses.

8. Illegal Dumping

(1) A person commits an offence if that person deposits and leaves any litter or waste in
any premises owned or occupied by another.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be punishable with a fine not
exceeding ₹7,500 for the first offense and ₹15,000 for subsequent offenses and may,
subject to section 11 of this Act, be ordered to clean up such waste or litter.

9. Disposal of litter from motor vehicle or trailer

(1) A person is guilty of an offence, who transports in or on a motor vehicle along any
motorway, road, street, alley, lane or thoroughfare, any substance or material which is
likely to fall off or blow off the motor vehicle or trailer because while being so
transported it is either-
(a) Not sufficiently or well secured as to prevent it from falling off the motor
vehicle or trailer, or
(b) Not so covered as to prevent it from blowing off the motor vehicle or trailer.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) In the case of an individual, on summary conviction—
(i) To a fine of ₹5,000; and
(ii) Suspension of the driver’s licence of that person for a period of six
months;

10. Offenses by Corporations

(1) Corporations and businesses shall be held liable for littering caused by their activities.
(2) Penalties shall be proportionate to the scale of the offense and as decided by the Local
Authorities.

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11. Offender may be ordered to clean premises

(1) Without limiting the powers conferred on Local Authorities by this Act, where any
person is convicted of an offence under section 3, the Court may, in addition to
imposing a penalty, order the offender under the supervision and to the satisfaction of
a person nominated by the Court, to clean up and remove such litter deposited in such
public place within such period and to such place as may be specified in the order.
(2) Where such order is complied with to the satisfaction of the person nominated by the
Court that person shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the offender a statement in
writing to that effect.
(3) Any offender who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with such order is guilty
of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ₹25,000
and simple imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.

12. Penalty not otherwise provided for

(1) Where no penalty has been prescribed in respect of an offence contrary to this Act the
penalty therefor shall be as decided by the Local Authorities.

PART IV

MISCELLANEOUS

13. Litter-Free Events

(1) Organizers of public events shall ensure proper waste management during and after
the event.
(2) Failure to comply shall result in penalties as specified in Section 10 and 11 of this
Act.

14. Vendors to provide waste bins for disposing of litter

(1) Every vendor while plying his trade shall provide adequate waste bins for the deposit
of litter generate from said trade.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence shall be punishable
with a fine not exceeding ₹7,500 for the first offense and ₹15,000 for subsequent
offenses and may, subject to section 11 of this Act, be ordered to clean up such waste
or litter.

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15. Community Participation

(1) Local communities shall actively participate in litter prevention initiatives.

(2) Community-led clean-up drives shall be encouraged and supported.
(3) Schools and colleges shall include environmental education modules on litter
prevention.

16. Regulations

(1) The Local Authorities may make regulations for the carrying into the effect to the
provisions of this Act and for prescribing anything required or authorised by this Act
to be prescribed.

17. Miscellaneous

(1) The Central Government may issue guidelines for effective implementation.
(2) Any other matter related to litter prevention not covered herein shall be addressed by
the appropriate authority.