No initiatives have been taken here to implement wastemanagement rules under the national Swachh Bharat Mission, the centrallysponsored scheme aimed at improving cleanliness, hygiene and general quality oflife.
The scheme prescribes a whole range of initiatives formunicipal bodies in consultation with experts under the Solid Liquid WasteManagement (LSWM) rules.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has made some efforts toimplement the rules for bringing about a change in public attitude to wastemanagement and disposal, but failed due to lack of manpower andinfrastructure.
Under the scheme solid waste management in rural areas is tobe undertaken in project mode for each gram panchayat (GP) with financialassistance capped commensurate to the population it serves.
The total assistance under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen(rural) for SLWM projects is worked out on the basis of total number ofhouseholds in each GP, subject to a maximum of Rs 7 lakh for a GP with up to150 households, Rs 12 lakh up to 300 households, Rs 15 to 17 lakh up to 500households and Rs 20 lakh for GPs having more than 500 households.
“In Jammu, many meetings have been held and some initiativestaken up for the implementation of these rules. In Kashmir, no such activitiesor effort to initiate these activities had been made so far,” said an official,who wished not to be named.
As per the rules, states are to decide the technologiessuitable to their areas allowing those identified by the Committee onTechnologies also to be considered for implementation.
Every state is supposed to have at least one SLWM consultantat the state level and one in each district to guide the preparation of theSLWM projects for each GP.
“We are yet to appoint these consultants. Authorities don’tseem serious to address the waste management issues. It is going to adverselyaffect our environment,” said an expert.
Leena Paddar, director J&K rural sanitation saidprojects were in making and shortly work would begin.
“We are also in the process to appoint SLWM consultants,”Padar added.
Rules allow the consultants can be individuals ororganizations having experience on solid waste management work.
SLWM is one of the key components of the Swachh BharatMission.
On February 23, disapproving the government’s inertia tofinalise an action plan for solid waste management in Jammu and Kashmir, theHigh Court ordered housing and urban development department (H&UDD) topresent to file a compliance report on April 5. The court also directed the SMCto file status report on its mass awareness programme about solid wastemanagement.