SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday, chaired a meeting to assess the progress on door-to-door waste collection, Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs), and other assets established under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) in J&K.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of RDD, Rachna Sharma, Director General of Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, Director of RDD, Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director of Finance, Umar Khan, Additional Secretary, Kartar Singh, Additional Secretary of MGNREGA, Waseem Raja, all Assistant Commissioner of Panchayats (ACPs) and members of PMU Unit.
During the meeting, the Secretary issued strict directives regarding waste disposal and segregation. He set a 10-day deadline for ACPs to identify proper waste dumping sites in their respective jurisdictions. He directed the ACPs to coordinate with Deputy Commissioners and arrange meetings to expedite this process.
The Secretary emphasised the importance of waste segregation, taking a firm stance on departmental responsibility. “If people aren’t segregating waste then it becomes the responsibility of the department to educate and motivate them for proper disposal of the same,” Aijaz Asad asserted. He stressed that proper waste management habits need to be developed through consistent enforcement and awareness.
Addressing the concerns about recent changes in waste management guidelines, particularly regarding un-segregated waste disposal, the Secretary acknowledged the challenges posed by legacy waste sites. He emphasised the importance of behavioural change in implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G). He said that this aims to gradually build awareness and compliance regarding separate handling of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
Aijaz Asad outlined several key priorities for effective waste management. He stressed the importance of establishing minimum user charges and conducting thorough assessments of Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMU) facilities and community supported bins
The Secretary outlined a systematic approach towards implementing change, particularly focusing on waste segregation practices. He proposed a strategic rollout beginning with peripheral areas near local municipalities, explaining that success in these regions would create a cascading effect on neighboring areas.
“When one area successfully adopts these practices, starts forming proper waste management habits, and begins paying user charges, it naturally influences neighboring regions,” Aijaz Asad explained.
Asad announced plans to strengthen the mission’s environmental focus through various initiatives including carbon neutral programs and green bonds. “These initiatives need to be translated into concrete action plans,” he emphasized.
Director General Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, highlighted the significant progress made under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) in Jammu and Kashmir.
