LSGD dept to mobilise scheme fund for waste management projects

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala:  In order to remove the capital shortfall in the waste management sectors, thereby making Kerala a garbage-free state, the Department of Local Self Government (LSGD) has decided to mobilise the various funds allotted by the state, centre and other agencies for the implementation of various gap analysis projects.

In line with this decision, the department has directed the local bodies in the state to formulate effective waste management projects utilising the grants allotted under various heads. The decision of the LSGD department is also crucial for the successful implementation of phase 2 of the ‘Malinya Muktha Nava Keralam’ campaign.

Local bodies have also been asked to look into the possibility of using the funds allotted, by both the centre and state, for the development of waste management projects. LSGD will also constitute a mobile facilitation team under the supervision of the district campaign secretariat. The main goal of this team will be to assist local bodies in formulating waste management projects.

An official informed, “Several gap assessment projects have been identified after phase one of the campaign and the local bodies need to come up with projects to improve the waste management system based on the demand. The team will help local bodies prepare projects to fix those gaps.”

The department has also made it mandatory to set up double chamber incinerators in all local bodies to dispose of sanitary pads, baby and adult diapers, etc. Basic and Tied Grants as per the mandate of the Centre Finance Commission, Non-Million Plus Cities Basic Grant, Million Plus Cities (MPC) Tied Grant, Swachh Bharat Mission Rural and Urban, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are some of the funds that will be utilised for gap analysis projects.