Kerala - Kochi   

New norms for waste management

KOCHI: A bylaw giving legal framework for the handling and the management of municipal waste was passed by the Kochi Corporation Council on Tuesday. However, the council did not take a decision regarding the date on which the bylaw will come into force.

The bylaw, which defines the duties and responsibilities of the general public as well as the civic authorities, was passed after incorporating the minor suggestions made by the councillors.

The draft legislation prescribes punishments for dumping waste at public places. It has also fixed the responsibility of every household to collect and segregate the waste produced by them. The duties and responsibilities of the civic body including the setting up of sorting centres for waste, deployment of officials and vehicles for the collection and transport of waste and setting up of decentralised waste treatment centres have also been enlisted in the bylaw.

Several councillors raised the issue of unauthorised flats in the city quoting Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty.

In her reply, the Corporation secretary Mini Antony clarified that the number of unauthorised flats in the city was five.

It was wrongly reported that there were 157 unauthorised flats in the city. The Corporation officials had informed the Local Administration Ministry that 419 flats were constructed in the city since 1987. Of this, 298 were given residential certificates and 103 commercial certificates.

Replying to a question from UDF council party leader A.B. Sabu, Ms. Antony said the civic body was in the process of setting up a monitoring system for cases in various courts involving the Corporation. The legal cell of the Corporation was also revamped, she said.

The council unanimously passed the government proposal for revising the allowance of the councillors.

The revised allowance with arrears would be distributed to the councillors in April, Mayor Mercy Williams informed the council.

K.J. Sohan, chairman, development Standing Committee, and Corporation councillors T.J. Vinod, David Parambithara, N. Venugopal, V.J. Hycinth and K.X. Francis were among those who took part in the discussions.

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