The State government will focus on technological upgradation of waste management facilities in various urban local bodies in the State.
Addressing the Kerala Assembly, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj said that the State government would strive to achieve ‘Nirmal State' status for Kerala through its Total Sanitation Campaign.
Non-polluting
“Modern solid waste treatment methods using clean and non-polluting technologies such as incineration, eco-cycling and pyrolysis, which do not create leachate or bad odour, and require no dumping or landfill, will be implemented in all major urban local bodies,” he said.
A three-pronged strategy would be adopted for waste management, which included source-level waste segregation, establishment of decentralised waste treatment plants, and encouraging infusion of modern technology, Mr. Bhardwaj said.
Decentralised units
Small to medium scale decentralised waste management units and small household level units would be set up.
Waste management schemes in urban local bodies were being planned under the Suchitwa Varsham Project, he said.
“Source-level treatment of solid waste in households and institutions will be encouraged and plastic shredding units will be started. The operations of Suchitwa Mission in the implementation of Malinya Mukta Keralam (waste-free Kerala) Action Plan will be scaled up,” Mr. Bhardwaj said.
Green technology
He added that State government in association with the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) would set up Green Technology Centres in 100 more panchayats to promote ‘Zero Waste' action plan.
‘Future Schools' fund
To improve the quality of infrastructure in government schools, a Kerala Future Schools scheme would be initiated by the government, he said.
Resources for the scheme would be mobilised from local bodies, people's representatives, civil society and from the alumni of respective schools.
The elementary education cycle in the State would be synchronised with the national pattern and compulsory education would be ensured for all children in the age group of six to 14, from classes one to eight.
Free uniforms
Free uniforms would be supplied to students from Classes 2 to 8. GIS mapping of all schools had been completed and if there were pockets where educational institutions were unavailable within the distances stipulated in the RTE Act, new schools would be set up or transport facilities would be given to children to reach adjacent schools, he said.
The pupil-teacher ratio would be maintained at 30:1 at the lower primary level and at 35:1 in higher classes.
The Education Department's web portal would be strengthened by adding lessons on math and science for students from Classes 8 to 12. ‘Vidya Vani' broadcasts would be extended to the maximum possible number of Assembly constituencies, he said.
