SHILLONG, March 9: A day after the state Assembly became battleground for a heated debate on waste disposal management issues in Shillong and Jowai, Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has made a clarion call to the people of Meghalaya asking them not to be apprehensive of allowing a set-up for landfill around their localities.
Responding to a query during the question hour on Wednesday, Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the government intends to construct scientific waste processing plant, while assuring that no harm would be dealt to the people.
He also said that until and unless people are satisfied, the government will not go ahead with the plans.
The minister’s remarks came after Nujorki Sungoh raised a question on the status of the landfill site in Jowai.
Replying to a supplementary question from Mawsynram MLA HM Shangpliang with regard to garbage piled in front of Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Jowai despite the assurance of the minister, the Urban Affairs minister once again assured that the pile of garbage would be cleared by evening.
The minister reiterated that the government is serious about resolving the waste management problems faced by the public in Jowai, adding that the government is awaiting a report from the West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner on a public hearing conducted recently for constructing the scientific waste processing plant.
Mookaiaw MLA Nujorki Sungoh had alleged that the state Government had dumped 800 trucks of garbage in Moochutsdai, West Jaintia Hills, against the wish of the local people.
Seeking an early resolution, the MLA said that the people have resorted to dumping garbage along the Salaroh road in Jowai.