Kerala’s ‘Garbage-Free’ dream faces setback as 183 local bodies fail to meet targets
Thiruvananthapuram: As the state moves towards becoming a 'Garbage-free New Kerala,' 183 local bodies are lagging in waste management efforts, raising concerns about meeting the March 30 deadline. Among them, 74 are in Malappuram, including panchayats governed by the CPM. The government is set to take strict measures if these local bodies fail to improve. Minister for Local Self Government M. B. Rajesh will hold talks with chairpersons and if they fail to extend cooperation, the list of non-compliant bodies will be made public, followed by further action.
Emergency meeting on February 25
An emergency meeting will be held on February 25 at Thrissur Institute of Local Administration (KILA), chaired by the minister, bringing together chairpersons, secretaries, district joint directors, and district coordinators of the 183 local bodies lagging behind in the Nava Keralam Karma Padhathi initiative. The meeting will finalise the necessary steps to be completed before March 30, and senior officials will be assigned to oversee the progress. Local bodies from Kasaragod to Malappuram will attend the morning session, while those from other districts will join in the afternoon.
Kollam and Kannur leading
Kollam and Kannur districts have emerged as top performers in waste management. In Kollam, all municipalities have excelled, with only two panchayats among the lagging 183. Similarly, in Kannur, all panchayats and municipalities in Wayanad, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts are showing commendable progress.
District-wise breakdown of lagging local bodies
- Thiruvananthapuram: 9
- Kollam: 2
- Pathanamthitta: 6
- Alappuzha: 4
- Kottayam: 14
- Idukki: 12
- Ernakulam: 18
- Thrissur: 4
- Palakkad: 13
- Malappuram: 74
- Kozhikode: 14
- Wayanad: 3
- Kannur: 3
- Kasaragod: 7