A hard-won battle for waste treatment plant in Palampur

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, October 1

Hema Thakur (32), a postgraduate pradhan of Khalet Gram Panchayat of Palampur, is the first woman pradhan of the state who set up a garbage treatment plant in her village. She is the role model for other panchayats.

Hema said soon after taking over the reins of panchayat in 2016, she started door-to-door collection of garbage by charging Re 1 a day. Since there was no arrangements for treatment of garbage, she tied up with Aima panchayat. Later, she realised that she should have her own treatment plant. She approached the Director, Rural Development Department, who appreciated her cause and extended cooperation.

Talking to The Tribune here today, she said it was a difficult task to deal with state agencies to get the land transferred in the name of panchayat and procure so many no-objection certificates from the pollution control board, Forest Department, IPH, PWD, Revenue Department and HPSEBL.

The another task was to get funds sanctioned from the state government for the plant. On many occasions, her files were either detained or sent back after putting flimsy objections.

“None bothered to help a woman who was devoted to the development of her panchayat and spending money from her pocket only for the welfare of villagers. There was zero cooperation from most state officials. It was an emotional trauma for me and the family. However, there were a few officers who encouraged me,” she added . It was a disappointing moment for her when the papers were rejected without any reason but she did not lose heart and managed to get the clearance, she added. She suggested that the government should set up a single-widow clearance for the installation of garbage treatment plants by the panchayats and municipal councils to avoid harassment.

The state government had launched “Swachh Bharat Mission” but the state agencies were non-serious while implementing the programme. The state had failed to use even 60 per cent funds allocated by the 14th Finance Commission, she added.

Dedication pays

• After taking over the reins of panchayat in 2016, she started door-to-door collection of garbage by charging Re 1 a day
• Since there was no arrangements for treatment of garbage, she tied up with Aima panchayat
• Later, she realised that he should have her own treatment plant.
• She approached the Director, Rural Development Department, who extended help
• On many occasions, her files were either detained or sent back after putting flimsy objections
• She did not lose heart and managed to get the clearance