An order issued by the administration stated that ‘the trading licences of shops and establishments shall be suspended by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation with immediate effect and the trader/owner shall be given a time of seven days to provide for a duly covered dustbin and ensure onward secure disposal of such waste within seven days.

“Failing to adhere to the prescribed norms within seven days, the Corporation shall terminate the licence and prevent the said commercial establishment from operating,” the order said.

District administration, which made spot visits to various parts of the city, observed that shops and commercial establishments trading in various products, cooked and pre-cooked items, vegetables, meat and other consumer goods, throw and allow throwing the waste and leftover items on the open roads and streets and drains.

“Such waste blocks the drains besides creating inconvenience to the public,” the order noted. An official of the district administration mentioned that although the shops and establishments are under an obligation to ensure that the waste and left-overs are put in properly covered dustbins, it was seen that very rarely do they make necessary arrangements for disposal of the waste in a manner consistent with their obligations implicit in their trading licence.