The Rajasthan High Court has expressed serious concern over sanitation and waste management in Jaipur, directing municipal authorities to ensure that sanitation workers perform only the duties for which they were appointed. The court also stressed that similar cleanliness measures should be implemented across the state.
Court Directives on Sanitation Duties
Hearing a public interest litigation and a connected contempt petition, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Ashutosh Kumar passed an order on May 21. The bench observed that Jaipur, being a heritage city, should set an example at the national and international level in maintaining cleanliness standards. The court further said similar efforts should be replicated in other cities of Rajasthan, where tourism remains one of the biggest industries.
The court directed Additional Advocate General GS Gill to finalise similar instructions for other municipal corporations in the state. The order came after advocate Vimal Choudhary, appearing in person, raised grievances regarding the deployment of sanitation workers in Jaipur's municipal corporations. Choudhary submitted that sanitation workers were allegedly not being assigned duties related to cleaning work despite being appointed specifically for sanitation services.
Accountability and Mechanisms
Accepting the submission, the bench directed municipal corporation authorities to assign sanitation workers duties strictly according to their appointments. The court stated: "Officers of municipal corporations would be responsible for ensuring regular cleanliness in all areas under their jurisdiction."
The court directed that sanitation work should be carried out through both manual and mechanised methods. It asked civic bodies to prepare structured cleaning schedules and ordered the installation of proper dustbins near residential colonies. Additionally, the court said jamadaars (supervisors) should ensure timely cleaning of garbage collection points in Jaipur.
In strong remarks, the bench stated that if regular cleaning was not carried out, the concerned jamadaar or sanitary inspector should be held accountable. The court further said municipal corporations could impose fines on citizens found throwing garbage on roads and in public places.
Statewide Expansion
While the observations focused heavily on Jaipur city, the court expanded the scope of its directions to the entire state. The High Court appealed to citizens and NGOs to actively cooperate with civic authorities in maintaining cleanliness and improving urban sanitation standards across Rajasthan.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on July 8, 2026.
