Singer M G Sreekumar fined ₹25000 for dumping waste in Kochi backwaters
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Kochi: Noted playback singer M G Sreekumar has been fined Rs 25,000 by the Mulavukad Grama Panchayat for allegedly dumping waste into the Kochi backwaters. The local body issued a notice directing him to pay the fine within 15 days, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The action was taken after a tourist captured a video on their mobile phone showing a garbage bag being thrown into the backwaters from the singer's house in the Mulavukad panchayat area. The video, posted on social media a few days ago, tagged Local Self Government Minister M B Rajesh, prompting a swift response. The minister stated that complaints regarding public littering, if supported by evidence, could be reported to the government's WhatsApp number (94467 00800) for action.
Following the complaint, the local body's control room directed panchayat authorities to inspect the site on the same day and verify the incident. After confirmation, a notice was issued under the relevant sections of the Panchayat Raj Act, imposing the Rs 25,000 fine.
A senior panchayat official stated that further action would be considered based on the singer's response. However, M G Sreekumar has not yet responded to the issue.
With PTI inputs