Civic body issues challans, yet violations continue

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 28

Municipal Corporation’s step of issuing challans to residents for non-segregation of waste, including the bio-medical waste, has generated a lukewarm response from residents. Fewer challans is said to be one of the reasons for tepid response.

Officials of the MC said they had tasked their employees to segregate waste while picking it from all locations but the work was affected due to a lack of cooperation on the part of residents.

The MC had started issuing challans to residents for non-segregation of garbage in December last year. An official said: “We have been issuing challans to residents since then, but the response to their garbage segregation move was lukewarm. We are facing a lack of cooperation by residents.”

The MC has nearly 1,000 sanitation workers. “All of them are tasked with the segregation of waste while picking it from separate locations. We have nearly 5 lakh residents. It is a challenge for the workers to fulfil the task if the generators do not segregate waste themselves”, said Corporation Joint Commissioner Lal Vishwas.

He added: “We are segregating masks from the waste throughout the city. The workers are also picking them up from roads. These used masks are then sent to a private company for their management.”

The workers said the rules of solid waste management provided for a fine ranging from Rs200 to Rs5,000. “This is a meagre amount for most residents,” one said.

Dr Sumeet, District Epidemiologist, said: “In view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, people should spray disinfectant on the bio-medical waste to prevent the spread of virus. That is effective as well.”