SHILLONG: Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh denied that Shillong was one of the dirtiest cities in the country as claimed by Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), who had quoted a survey to substantiate his claim during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Friday.
The minister, however, admitted that out of the 75 cities selected under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Shillong was ranked 53rd as far as cleanliness is concerned. “Nowhere in the report, there is reference to Shillong being one of the dirtiest cities,” Lyngdoh said.
The minister said that the 75 cities were placed under different categories as ranked city, aspiring leaders, acceleration required, and slow movers.
She said as far as Shillong is concerned, the integrated solid waste management system of the city was highlighted in the first survey.
The minister said that public awareness on door to door collection of garbage was one of the steps undertaken by the government to ensure cleanliness.
She, however, said that there are certain challenges the government faces including the absence of a single governing institution for the entire city to ensure cleanliness.
The minister also pointed out that there are multiple agencies in the city which add to the problem.
Absence of public representatives in urban local bodies and lack of awareness on the part of the citizens coupled with absence of private investment are other concerns, the minister said.
Earlier, raising questions, both Basaiawmoit and K.P. Pangniang (HSPDP) said that Shillong can no longer be called Scotland of the East.
The minister, on her part, asserted that the government will try to bring back the lost glory of Shillong.
‘Citizens refusing to adhere to cleanliness rules’
When Opposition legislator Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) raised concerns on the poor waste management mechanism in the city, Lyngdoh informed the Assembly that citizens are refusing to adhere to the rules.
Raising a question in the Assembly on disposal of waste management, Mawthoh said no proper system has been adopted by the department for the waste disposal.
He also pointed out that the Marten dumping ground at Mawiong where the wastes from the city are regularly dumped has become a ‘waste bomb’ as it can be disastrous one day, if the dumping ground cannot hold wastes any more.
According to Mawthoh, if the wastes are not treated properly, the city is going to suffer from mismanagement of waste disposal.
The minister said that the suggestions of the legislator will be followed up and added that there is a need on the part of the citizens to adhere to the rules related to waste disposal.
Earlier, the minister said the coloured dustbins (green and blue) and waste disposal trucks have not been provided to areas outside the Shillong Municipality.
