Divisional Commissioner Dr Raghav Langer today chaired a meeting to review the progress of Solid Liquid Waste Management schemes in rural areas of the Division here at his office.
The meeting was attended in person by Director Rural Sanitation, Director Rural Development Department, Deputy Director Planning and other concerned officers. At the same time, Additional District Development Commissioners, Assistant Commissioner Development, District Panchayat Officers of all the districts of Division participated through video conferencing.
The meeting was convened to review projects under Swacch Bharat Mission (Gramin) and other government schemes for rural sanitation.
The Additional District Development Commissioners briefed the Div Com about the action plan and status of works being done in convergence under SBM (G), MGNREGA, 14th FC and other schemes in their respective districts.
The meeting was informed that Rs 291.52 crore had been approved for Jammu and Kashmir under SBM (G) Phase-II for solid-liquid waste management works.
It was informed that 622 villages were supposed to be covered this FY 21-22 for solid waste & greywater management & 53 villages were supposed to set up Plastic waste management units (PWMUs).
However, no progress in the above could be achieved.
Dr Langer took strong note of unmanaged garbage dumping in villages. He termed the dumps as an ‘eyesore’ and ‘challenge for any developing society’ and called for immediate action to improve the situation.
The Div Com stressed the need to develop composting pits in large numbers in rural areas to scientifically treat wet/ biodegradable waste. He also reminded the officers of the vision of the Lieutenant Governor for developing Jammu & Kashmir as a model region in Swachhta for the entire nation.
Dispelling doubts over utilisation of funds under the scheme, the Div Com said that works under the scheme can be executed under a pool of various funds of the Rural Development Department and that there is no separate budget for the same. However, he directed Director Rural Sanitation to issue a circular and address all such confusions, administrative approval, and other norms for the scheme.
The Div Com also directed Director Rural Sanitation to provide every possible support for the better ground implementation of the scheme.
While discussing the issue of plastic management in rural areas, the Div Com suggested installing electromagnetic machines in a couple of Panchayats on a pilot basis. The machines convert plastic to ashes. Furthermore, he directed the officers to develop a mechanism to manage the supply chain of plastic waste from all stages- from collection to disposal.
The Div Com directed district officers to form a team, constituting ADDC, ACD, XEn REW and District Panchayat Officer, to conduct field visits, identify locations for plastic management plants and finalise their shed design. He suggested that PRI members be taken for exposure visits to these plants and encouraged to help develop the same in their respective Panchayats.
Assistant Commissioner (Panchayats) of all districts were directed to prepare model estimates of SLWM projects in their districts for a few panchayats, which can then be replicated in all other areas in a phased manner.
Detailed discussion was also held on greywater management in Panchayats. The Div Com expressed dissatisfaction over dismal progress on various projects and directed the Additional Deputy Commissioners, ADDCs and District Panchayat Officers to conduct field visits in their respective districts. They were told to assess the ground situation and take appropriate action to expedite the works.
