SHILLONG, March 8: The state government on Tuesday faced some heat in the Assembly over the pathetic waste disposal management in Shillong and Jowai.
Raising a short duration discussion in the House, AITC MLA from Mawsynram, HM Shangpliang said a mound of garbage is piling up in front of the DC’s office in Jowai and asked the government to show haste and identify a new location to dump the town’s garbage.
Shangpliang produced pictures of garbage piling up in front of the DC’s office on Tuesday morning, and said the Iawmusiang market management pays services tax to the Jowai Municipal Board but the Board is not clearing the garbage from Iawmusiang and other markets in town.
Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie echoed Shangpliang and asked the government to identify land to address Shillong’s growing garbage woes.
He feared that the present landfill at Mawlai Marten will have no space in another 3-4 years and Shillong will face problems akin to Jowai.
Opposition leader, Mukul Sangma asked the state government to use available technologies for effective garbage management and to ensure that people come forward and give their land for creation of a garbage disposal system.
In his reply, Urban Affairs Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar said the problem in Jowai town cropped up after seven villages opposed the dumping of garbage in one of the villages in Jaintia Hills due to non-scientific disposal of waste.
He also revealed that a public hearing was held recently in Moowshut Sdai, Mookabeng, under Thadlaskein Block for a permanent landfill site consisting of 100 acres of land and the state government is awaiting a detailed report from the deputy commissioner on the outcome of the public hearing.
He also said that as an immediate measure, the Jowai Municipal Board is currently dumping garbage in three or four temporary sites.