Kerala - Kochi   

Bylaws on waste management come into force today

Photo: Vipin Chandran

Tighter vigil: V.R. Krishna Iyer, former judge of the Supreme Court, releasing a compendium of bylaws, drafted by the Kochi Corporation for solid waste management, by handing over a copy to Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan in Kochi on Saturday. —

KOCHI: A compendium of the bylaws that will hereafter govern the solid waste management process in the city was released here by V.R. Krishna Iyer, former Supreme Court judge, on Saturday. He handed over a copy of the bylaws to Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan at the former’s residence. The bylaws, the first of their kind in the State, will come into force from Sunday.

Mr. Krishna Iyer said that though Kochi was one of the most beautiful cities of the country, the garbage menace was spoiling that image, of late.

He said that though boards “Clean and green Kochi” were displayed in many parts of the city, the reality was different. He recollected how the accumulation of garbage had posed great difficulties to the district administration and Corporation authorities last year.

Waste need not be viewed as a menace but as wealth. Implementation of technology is the way to make wealth out of it, he said. He, however, said that plastic was the greatest menace and asked authorities to find a way to solve the problems posed by it.

Mr. Krishna Iyer said that it was the responsibility of the Corporation to effectively implement the bylaws. “If the Corporation faltered in this, then the High Court must step in,” he said. He said that every judge has the power to ensure this.

He said that cooperation of the public and media was essential for the successful implementation of the bylaws in a democratic way.

Presiding over the function, Mayor Mercy Williams said that the bylaws would be fully implemented within a month of its coming into effect.

“During the period, all technical difficulties in its implementation would be removed. The cooperation of the public, police and institutions would be sought for its enforcement,” she said. She said that punitive measures for violation of the bylaws would be intensified gradually once the public became fully aware of them.

Ms. Williams said the cooperation of the people was vital for successful solid waste management. The bylaws were a blueprint laying down how people could become partners in this venture.

She said that if the public were not fully aware of the provisions of the bylaws their purpose would not be served. The bylaws were not meant for punishing the public but were a set of guidelines.

Justice Mr. Radhakrishnan said that no amount of fine would prevent violation of the bylaws if the public lacked moral values.

Some people, who on the strength of money, violated rules and were prepared to pay any fine for such violations would render the bylaws useless.

He said that even the areas populated by affluent sections were turning into dumping yards due to the nauseating culture of depositing waste generated at one’s household at the doorsteps of the neighbour, he said.

Deputy Mayor C.K. Manisankar welcomed the gathering and Corporation Secretary Mini Antony proposed a vote of thanks.

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