Garbage-dumping: Decision to reward informants elicits good response
Trivandrum / June 19, 2023
Thiruvananthapuram, June 19: The state government’s direction to Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) to reward citizens who report illegal dumping of waste has yielded good result within a few days.
A large number of LSGIs from across Kerala have reported taking action against cases of illegal and indiscriminate dumping of waste, based on information received from socially-conscious citizens on WhatsApp and E-mail in this regard.
After verifying information from the public, LSGIs swung into action against the reported incidents in many places.
The government recently came out with an order enabling the LSGIs to reward citizens providing credible inputs of illegal waste dumping as part of the ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ campaign, seeking to make the state garbage-free by next year.
Acting fast on credible information including photographs and video clippings, LSGIs in Koothattukulam, Maradu, Piravom, Asamannoor and Pampakuda cleared garbage and other pollutants found dumped in public spaces.
Fish and meat markets at Perumbavoor were found to have been with garbage pile, which could trigger the spread of epidemic diseases. Municipal authorities took quick action after this was reported by the public with supporting photographs and video clips.
A workshop held in the state capital recently to deliberate on the second phase of ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ campaign, has asked LSGIs to take immediate measures based on information received on a dedicated WhatsApp number and E-mail.
Addressing the workshop, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Smt Sarada Muraleedharan, instructed the district Joint Directors, LSGD, to ensure that the LSGIs put in place WhatsApp number and E-mail for the public to respond on the issue.
She pointed out that heavy fine would be imposed on illegal dumping of waste. Also, the informants would be given upto Rs 2,500 or 25 percent of the fine imposed on those resorting to illegal disposal of garbage.
Marking the successful completion of the goals set for the first phase of the Immediate Action Plan launched to keep Kerala clean and litter-free, the LSGD conducted Haritha Sabhas (green assemblies) across the state on June 5, World Environment Day, with the participation of LSGIs.With the Haritha Sabhas organized all over the state, the campaign has now moved onto its second phase.
The action plan, planned to be implemented in three phases, aims at making the state’s LSGIs garbage-freeby 2024.The second phase will conclude on this November 30.
