Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Aug 4: Deputy Commissioner Samba, Anuradha Gupta today launched Solid Waste Management Programme in Palli and Lower Kartholi Panchayats.
The twin Panchayats have become first in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir to accomplish the task in an institutionalized manner.
Panchayat Palli had shot to prominence when the Prime Minister addressed the maiden national PRI Conference from here to mark the celebration of National Panchayat Day on April 24, 2022.
Over these months Palli Panchayat has witnessed unbridled development to become a model Panchayat for others to follow.
As part of the endeavour, a dedicated Solid Waste Management programme has been initiated in Palli and Kartholi Panchayats to develop these as the role models in respect of sanitation and cleanliness as envisaged in Swacch Bharat Mission.
Rural Development Department, Samba has already constructed a segregation shed where segregation and disposal of solid waste material shall be done by trained people.
The local Panchayat has decided to charge a nominal amount as collection charges from each household and the waste so collected shall be recycled and disposed of in a scientific manner.
With the administrative support of RDD, Samba and the technical collaboration of the Regional and Urban development Agency (RUDA), the Panchayat would impart necessary training to volunteers as well as the manpower hired under the scheme to make waste disposal an income generating activity.
Deputy Commissioner, Samba while speaking on the occasion, informed that this model will be replicated in every Panchayat in the district in coming days.
BDC, Chairperson Bari-Brahmana, Rajni Devi also spoke about the benefits of the SWM system and assured to put in personal efforts to motivate people to contribute towards making the mission a success.
Sarpanch Palli, Randhir Sharma appreciated the efforts of the District administration in facilitating the setting up of the waste management system for the Panchayat and assured that each household shall actively participate in making Palli a Zero Waste Panchayat.
A swachta pledge was also administered to the participants and technical presentation was made by Sanjeev Arora, CEO, RUDA.
Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajinder Singh; Assistant Commissioner Development, Sidharath Dhiman, Assistant Commissioner, Panchayat, DIO, BDO, Bari Brahmana, PRI members and local residents were also present on the occasion.