CM launches initiative to rid state of scrap & waste

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday instructed panchayats and municipalities to conduct a special campaign to gather scrap materials, including discarded clothes and waste paper from every household within their jurisdiction.

At the launch of the state-level ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign in Panaji, Sawant said that the revenue earned from this effort should be given to labourers.

Sawant directed the directorate of urban development as well as the directorate of panchayats to ensure that every rural and urban body participates in this drive. The chief minister said that the goal was to encourage citizens to dispose of unwanted items responsibly and contribute to a cleaner environment. “The collected scrap material should be sent to waste treatment plants or anyone who is handling the waste in a scientific manner. No waste should be dumped along the roads. The revenue earned from this should be given to labourers who are engaged in collecting the scrap items,” Sawant said.

Sawant said that a circular has been issued to govt departments, granting authority to the respective ‘head of office’ to dispose of scrap materials valued at Rs 5 lakh or less. For materials worth more than Rs 5 lakh, formal approvals from heads of department would be needed, he said. Panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho said that govt will soon take required steps and introduce provisions within existing laws to penalise individuals who deliberately litter in public places.

“We will ensure that even lower-level officers at panchayats are authorised to impose fines,” he said. He directed panchayats to collect garbage tax from every household and even suggested panchayats deny income and other certificates to individuals who fail to pay taxes.

Godinho urged local bodies to avail funds from govt and set up ‘wealth out of waste’ plants within their jurisdiction.