Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 10: Zilla panchayat chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Kumar, has instructed all the gram panchayats to set up task forces to trap those who dispose garbage in public places including roadside drains and rivulets, and to impose fines.

Currently the village administrations are concentrating on corona control. Once the corona situation becomes manageable, they will pool their energies to catch hold of people spreading filth in public places.

The members had, in the previous session, urged the officials to take stern steps against people who pollute the environment by disposing of garbage at will. The CEO therefore has ordered creation of task forces for the purpose.

Mostly in villages, people are found to be filling house waste into plastic bags and then throwing the same into roadside, drains, canals etc. Waste from meat shops and poultry shops are carried in vehicles and thrown by the roadsides in forest areas. Henceforth, the local task forces will keep vigil on such activities. CCTV cameras will be installed at strategic places to keep an eye on such activities.

In the city, as throwing of garbage without sorting the same by the roadside has developed into a serious problem, the corporation administration plans to install CCTV cameras and take action as per National Green Tribunal guidelines and city corporation management bylaw 2018 as per which fine up to Rs 25,000 can be imposed. It has also been decided to file criminal cases.

The city corporation has also been creating awareness about cleanliness and garbage handling besides extending 50 percent concession in waste handling tax. It also plans to issue ‘Best Practiser' award to those who correctly sort dry and wet waste before handing over dry waste to the garbage collecting vehicles.