CPI(M) demands implementation of waste management project

CPI(M) activists on Tuesday took out a rally to the city corporation office demanding implementation of the Lalur Model Project for Solid-waste management (LAMPS).

Addressing the dharna in front of the corporation office, former Mayor R. Bindu said that the UDF-led corporation council should make its stand clear on the Lalur issue. “The LAMPS was introduced with the intervention of the former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan when the Lalur Malineekarana Viruddha Samara Samithi opposed the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project for waste management,” she noted.

An amount of Rs. 94 lakh was handed over to Pathiyur Gopinath, the chief co-coordinator of the LAMPS during the tenure of the previous LDF council. The people have the right to know the progress of the project and how much of that fund had been utilised, Ms. Bindu said.

She alleged that her council was crucified by many people, including socio-cultural leaders, without understanding the reality.

“The organisations, which used to criticise the LDF council in the Lalur issue on every available occasion are silent now,'' she said.

The CPI(M) had always supported the residents of Lalur, who had been suffering from the garbage-induced health, sanitary and environmental problems for the many decades, the CPI(M) leaders said.

CPI(M) state committee member Baby John, district secretary A. C. Moideen and other leaders addressed the dharna.

Earlier, the LDF councillors walked out of the corporation council meeting demanding an urgent solution to the Lalur issue. The UDF councillors alleged that the obduracy of Pathiyur Gopinath, chief coordinator of the LAMPS, that the project should be started first at Sakthan Thampuran Market was creating problems.