30 local bodies yet to take action against roadside waste dumping

Local Self-Government dept. pulls up panchayats for inaction

Thirty grama panchayats in Ernakulam have failed to take steps against dumping of waste in public places, according to an assessment by the Local Self-Government Department. The erring local bodies include Ayavana, Elankunnapuzha, Avoili, Valakom, Aarakuzha, Kadamakudi, Payipra, Kaloorkad, Mulavukad, Manjaloor, Alangad, Aaradi, Vengoor, Okkal, Chottanikkara, Koovapadi, Varapuzha, Udayamperoor, Rayamangalam, Kadungalloor, Karumalloor, Cheranalloor, Vengola, Nedumbassery, Chittattukara, Ezhikkara, Vadakkekara, Kottuvalli, Choornikkara and Edathala. The performance evaluation of the waste management scenario was held in April. The department has pulled up 18 local bodies for not acting against dumping of waste in waterbodies. The grama panchayats figuring in the list include Elanji, Elankunnapuzha, Arakuzha, Malayatoor-Neeleswaram, Kalloorkad, Alangad, Vengoor, Mulanthuruthy, Varapuzha, Udayamperoor, Karumaloor, Cheranalloor, Kindimana, Kottapadi, Kavalangad, Chittatukara and Kottuvalli. The department has directed the Director of Panchayats to ask for an action-taken report from these local bodies. The Deputy Director of Panchayats in Ernakulam has to direct the secretaries of the local bodies to remove waste in public places and waterbodies without delay. A performance audit of these local bodies must be carried out by supervisors deputed by the Deputy Director of Panchayats.