Waste management and tax exemption

Under the leadership of the Local Self-Government Department, the state government has been implementing various programs to realise the goal of a waste-free Kerala. A decision was earlier taken to impose fines to prevent the dumping of waste in public spaces, and this has proven somewhat effective. Now, the government is considering granting a 5% reduction in building tax to those who manage waste at its source. An official order regarding this is expected to be issued soon, as we reported recently. The responsibility to grant this tax rebate will rest with the respective local bodies. This is a significant decision. We extend our appreciation to Minister M. B. Rajesh and all the staff of his department for their efforts in implementing waste management as a consistent practice.

Small houses will be eligible for the rebate if they effectively use kitchen bins, while homes generating larger amounts of waste must implement biogas plants. Along with penalising those who litter, this incentive is aimed at encouraging proper waste management. However, for this decision to succeed, public participation is crucial. The Haritha Karma Sena will assess whether proper waste management practices are being followed.

A survey conducted by the Suchitwa Mission among 94.58 lakh households revealed that only 25.12 lakh households practice waste management at the source.

It was also found that many people were using the kitchen bins provided for waste collection and processing to plant saplings or for other unrelated purposes. Converting kitchen bins into plant pots is considered highly irresponsible. Local bodies must take strict action against this practice. At the same time, they should ensure the uninterrupted availability of inoculum used for processing kitchen waste, since its unavailability is the main complaint raised by those not using the bins.

In addition to managing waste at home, efforts must be made to prevent waste heaps from forming in public spaces. Local bodies need to be more proactive in this regard. Improper collection and processing of waste in public areas are major reasons for mosquito breeding, which leads to several diseases. It has been announced that action will be taken if photographs of public waste dumps are submitted. An app has been developed for this purpose, and a WhatsApp number has also been provided. Those who submit photos showing individuals littering or vehicle registration numbers will be rewarded.

The previous fire and smoke incident at Brahmapuram served as a lesson for us. However, under the leadership of Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar, Brahmapuram has now been transformed into a model site, featuring playgrounds and gardens. The approach adopted there is truly commendable. To achieve a waste-free Kerala, both the government and the public must work together. Only then can our land become clean and achieve complete sanitation.