Minister J.Mercykutty Amma on Wednesday launched Safe Kollam, an initiative of the district administration focussing on multiple aspects including safe environment, safe water, safe food, safe road, and safe children.
“Ward-level implementation of the project should be ensured while regular review is also important. The project will be implemented in coordination with voluntary organisations, residents associations, clubs, libraries, NSS and NCC units, members of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, and the Hotel and Restaurant Association along with the Police and Excise,” said the Minister.
Paddy farming
She added the environment should be given priority and paddy cultivation would be extended as part of ensuring food safety.
“At present, even schoolchildren are involved in farming and now it will be extended. Also, campaigns should be held among school students to spread awareness about proper waste disposal methods to stop them from littering the premises. Polluting of backwaters should be treated as a criminal offence and stringent action will be taken against those who flout the laws,” she said.
As part of Safe Kollam, the district administration will conduct a string of awareness campaigns along with regular inspections and strict enforcement of traffic rules.
Ward-level committees formed by local bodies will be in charge of disseminating information and door-to-door awareness programmes will be held every month.
Students will take home Safe Kollam pamphlets, discuss it with their parents and later officials will visit schools to assess the result.
The Safe Kollam units will also conduct awareness sessions for UP, high school, higher secondary, and college students.
Focus on sanitation
Sanitation will be another area of focus and mass drives will be held as part of the long-term project. The participation of all sections will be ensured and street plays and competitions for school and college students will be organised.
Within six months, 20% of the district population is expected to be part of the initiative and the district administration has also launched a portal for the public to register as volunteers.
M.Mukesh, MLA, presided over the function while Mayor V. Rajendrababu released the logo of the project. Collector B.Abdul Nasar, district panchayat president C.Radhamani, and Subcollector Anupam Mishra spoke.
