THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala will become garbage free within a year and as part of this all-self-government institutions in the state will be free from dumping waste on June 5. He also opined that a culture of taking up waste management as a civic duty should be developed.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting of chairpersons, people's representatives, departmental secretaries and officials of local self-government bodies in the state as part of the 'Malinyamuktam Navakeralam' campaign.

“The Brahmapuram incident highlights the importance and focus of waste management. This should not be repeated. Organic and non-organic waste should be segregated at source. Bio-waste should be disposed of at the source. Inorganic waste should be handed over to Haritha Karma Sena on payment of the user fee. 'Harithamitram' app should be used for this”, said the Chief Minister.

Opposiion leader VD Satheesan welcomed the campaign. Minister M.B. Rajesh presided over the function. Ministers K Rajan, Roshy Augustine, K.N. Balagopal, K. Radhakrishnan, P. Rajeev, Antony Raju, Veena George, Chief Secretary Dr. V.P. Joy, Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries were present.