‘Solid waste management not up to the mark’

AIADMK Legislature party leader A. Anbalagan

The opposition AIADMK has charged the Local Administration Department of failing to implement the solid waste management scheme properly in the town.

Addressing the reporters here on Tuesday, AIADMK Legislature party leader A. Anbalagan said that the Swachata Corporation entrusted with the work was not implementing the scheme properly.

He said that instead of ensuring proper implementation of the scheme by placing waste bins in all the appropriate places, the government was now victimising the residents for accumulation of garbage.

It is shocking that the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi had invoked the provisions of Section 144 of CrPC against those dumping garbage into the drains. This criminal action under CrPC envisages imprisonment and fine.

Mr. Anbalagan said that the residents were not at fault for accumulation of garbage since the Swachata Corporation had not placed waste bins at the necessary spots. The Government was spending nearly ₹30 crore every year for the implementation of the scheme. But the fund has not brought about the expected results and a genuine doubt arises whether there was misappropriation of funds at any level. The Director of Local Administration Department was also not responding to his request to place bins at all places.

CM’s intervention sought

The Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy must immediately intervene and ensure that the waste bins were made available at all places in the town so that the residents can dispose of the waste properly.

Referring to the plight of around 1,100 retired workers of the Government-owned Anglo French Textiles (AFT) mills, he said that the gratuity amount due to the employees was not settled for the last five years.

A few of them approached the Madras High Court and won the case and the government immediately settled their dues.

The judgement given in the case of 27 retired employees directing the government to clear the amount is applicable to all the employees and there should be no further delay in settling the dues.