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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Friday, 29 March 2024 2.17 PM IST

Smoke and penalty for people

brahmapuram

Kerala's garbage problem cannot be solved by imposing fines or ordering the immediate removal of garbage heaps. Local self-government bodies and government is prioritizing the waste collection and not its disposal. It cannot be said that the National Green Tribunal, State Pollution Control Board, etc. are not responsible for monitoring whether the waste is disposed of properly. Had such agencies intervened at regular intervals, issued strict guidelines, ensured that it was maintained, and taken legal action against defaulters, the garbage problem would not have become so serious.

Every rainy season, the wastewater flowing from these garbage mountains enters the surrounding water bodies and rivers. The Pollution Control Board, which issues a notice even if a small factory discharges its waste, does not take any action against the discharge of wastewater from the garbage heaps of corporations. They all come together only when there is a big upheaval or problem. After the fire in Brahmapuram, the Pollution Control Board has issued an order to immediately remove around forty garbage heaps in the state. The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Kochi Corporation to pay a fine of Rs 100 crore within one month, for the failure in the operation of Brahmapuram waste treatment plant. Kochi Corporation Mayor stated that a case will be filed against the order. The case and fight will get priority now and not the solution for Brahmapuram problem. Lakhs will have to be spent on the case. The Green Tribunal has also asked for action against the responsible officials and others within two months. With the stay from the High Court or the Supreme Court, the people have doubts about whether the garbage problem will be forgotten again. Past experiences prove that.

What else does the corporation have besides people's tax money and other fees? This fine should also be paid from the money paid by the people. Kerala's waste problem can only be solved by setting up small processing plants and decentralizing waste storage. No move is made for this. The government is not putting forward any action plan for it. If the fine has to be paid, wouldn't it be the people themselves who have to bear the smoke and the penalty?

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TAGS: SMOKE, PENALTY, GARBAGE, CORPORATON
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