The Hindu : It takes two to tango

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

It takes two to tango

By J. S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD July 16. Every one has the right to be wrong in a democracy, but to make it stick on others is sheer audacity. When it comes to the city's upkeep, blame game is what one would like to play. The unanimous verdict is -- MCH is the culprit.

But not many realise that sanitation is a two-way street. If the civic body is primarily responsible for keeping the city litter-free, so are people. The State capital generates a whopping 2200 metric tonnes of garbage a day. The baldia surely doesn't clear all of this but it does lift a huge chunk. On the other hand the action of the people, who throw the garbage, leaves a lot to be desired.

``We are doing our best, but people also have to be disciplined,'' says MCH Commissioner, Chitra Ramachandran.

A walk through one's neighbourhood would show the callous attitude of the people. Pack the muck in a polythene bag and throw it out. "I care a dam where it lands as long as it is out of my premises'' is what one seems to think. When it suits its convenience, the MCH also does this. It removes the silt from the nalas and leaves it right on the road side.

Some of the areas in the city present a contrasting scenario. While most of the bins are overflowing, a few are surprisingly empty. But the trash lies scattered all around. Goats and dogs freely forage into the litter, spreading it all over. Some civic sense this.

And there are some who would like to test their throwing skills. While driving in a four-wheeler or astride a scooter they fling the trash bag at the refuse bin. But nine out of ten times it misses the target. "'The filth lies all over. We have to collect it with hands and put it in the bin before it is removed,'' says a sweeper.

Surprisingly when the city is reeling under a spate of diseases -- cholera, dengu and gastroentrities -- several key posts in the sanitation wing of the MCH are vacant. The AMOH post in Circle III is lying vacant for close to a year while the AMOH of Circle II is on long leave. Similarly, the AMOH post in the head office is also vacant. None are posted in their place. Of the 56 sanitary supervisors, nine posts are vacant. Even the Chief Medical Officer, Pratibha, is away on leave. It is only recently that the District Medical Officer is posted incharge.

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It takes two to tango

Their way to learning is through garbage dumps?