SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) is working to ensure that the civic areas are clean while taking steps to tap resources following resource crunch.
An official source said delay in the payment of salary is a chronic problem but informed that except for one month salaries have been paid. The official added that the solution is to tap all resources and government assistance is much needed.
As for the protection of the staff health-wise, the official said that SMB has PPEs in place and will procure more. There are currently 400 PPEs. “Waiting nod from the government for more PPEs”, the official told The Shillong Times.
The SMB staff also collect biomedical waste from Bethany Hospital. At the same time, biomedical waste from Civil Hospital is being collected. In this connection, the official said, “We do want to take any chances so the staff are also regularly checked.”
As for the payment of property tax, the official said people cannot make the necessary payment in view of the lockdown.
In this connection, the civic board has extended the deadline till April 30 and will again seek government’s approval for further extension. Those who paid property tax before March 30 will get concessions and those who will be paying later need not pay penalty.
The official said there are around 400 field staff and other employees in the civic board, “though the number has reduced”, but work pressure has not lessened.
Besides there is also a rush for resources and “we are asking for resources from the government”.
As for the disinfectants, the official said that it will last for a month and request has been made to the government to supply some more disinfectant.
As for the water supply by the SMB, the official said it is concentrating on the localities in Laban and a few pockets which are always facing acute water shortage.
The official said that 50 keymen are appointed for distribution of water.
Asked, on the condition of the Marten at Mawlai Mawiong, the official said that marten is more than 80 years old. A sanitary landfill has been developed which will last 8 years.
Meanwhile, executive engineer of SMB, FB Chyne said that people residing in various localities should be cooperative to ensure that the municipal areas are kept clean and green. He informed that last year, Rs 4 lakh was realized in one month for littering.
In view of the COVID-19 situation, where spitting is not allowed, he said that people should be proactive and tell others not to spit.