KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that plants will be built in all districts to treat toilet waste and the collective efforts of local bodies are required to complete them on time. Chief Minister was inaugurating the Global Exhibition on Waste Management (GEx Kerala'23) organized by the local self-government at Marine Drive.

Although Kerala is a completely open defecation-free state, there is a deficiency in providing facilities for toilet waste management. It has a system only in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Corporations and Kalpatta Municipality. That is not enough either. Availability of space is the challenge. There is no danger of plants coming. Waste is the fault, not the plants. If we don't dispose of the waste, it will harm us. by understanding this, the local bodies should take the initiative for waste management and the attitude of the society should change, Chief Minister said.

The waste management performance of each local body will be assessed and graded. Permanent Green Auditing Committees will be constituted. A campaign will be launched to make Kerala a completely clean state by 2025. Children will be the driving force behind this. Chief Minister said that awards will be given to institutions that are doing well.

Local Minister MB Rajesh as Chairman. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan delivered the keynote speech. Hibi Eden MP and MLAs TJ Vinod, KJ Maxi, district panchayat president Ullas Thomas, Chief Secretary Dr. VP Joy, Principal Secretary – Local Self Government Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, Principal Director MG Rajamanickam, Collector Dr. Renuraj, Local Department Directors H Dinesan, Arun K Vijayan, Dr. Adeela Abdullah, Dr. Joy Ilamon, M Krishnadas and others participated.