Govt to toughen stand to address garbage woes

SHILLONG, April 27: The state government is now compelled to take a tough stand to address the garbage issue in Jowai, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday, adding that the decision taken will be made public in a day or two.
The CM said a meeting was held between the Deputy Chief Minister and the Urban Affairs department and some decisions were taken to address the woes of the residents of Jowai town.
The CM lamented that the government had identified several locations to dump garbage but there was resentment among the locals in almost all the locations.
“The solution to the garbage woes cannot be found instantly. We first need to find a temporary phase and then an intermediate level and a long-term sustainable solution,” he said.
Citing the case of Tura, Sangma said in an attempt to resolve the garbage problem in Tura, the government tied up with a South Korean company and now the garbage disposal system of converting waste into energy blocks is working really well. “The government did not spend anything and it was done by the company,” he added.
Asked if people or traditional heads should be held accountable, Sangma admitted that certain laws can be made keeping in mind the traditional laws and land rights that are there.
Meanwhile, the Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun (SSMP) has warned that they are not going to allow dumping of garbage from other districts at Marten dumping ground in Mawlai Mawiong.
“We should unitedly voice our demand as citizens of the state that there should be permanent landfill sites for dumping of garbage in all the districts. This is very important for the cleanliness of our localities and towns,” SSMP general secretary, S Syiem said on Wednesday.
According to him, the dumping ground at Marten has reached its saturation point.
“We are not against anyone. But we feel that there should designated places for dumping and recycling of garbage in all the districts,” he said.
He also said that people have to change their mindset to allow the government to acquire land for setting up of permanent landfill sites. “We need such facilities for the good of everyone,” Syiem stated.