The level of civic sanitation in Pauri has deteriorated severely as the municipality has not removed garbage dumped in public places for a fortnight now. The locals blame the ‘obstinacy’ of the municipal board chairman Yashpal Benam for the real mess the town finds itself in now.
It will be recalled that Benam had ordered stopping the disposal of garbage from town after District Magistrate Chandresh Kumar directed the municipality to stop dumping garbage near Timli Bend following complaints by the locals. Benam has asked the municipal sanitation workers to desist from lifting garbage till the district administration revokes its order. locals complain that the obstinate and apathetic attitude of the municipal board chairman has resulted in Pauri town being littered with garbage which has been festering for a fortnight.
Municipal waste generated daily in Pauri town, which is also the regional headquarters of Garhwal, is being dumped in various parts of the town. With the municipal staff not lifting the garbage, the locals have started burning garbage piled up in public places. However, not only is this a violation of solid waste management rules but is also detrimental to the environment as it pollutes the air.
The Himalaya Environment and Employment Society has filed an application against the authorities concerned in the National Green Tribunal which has directed the authorities to ensure disposal of garbage by Monday.
The general public opinion is that the municipal board chairman is not focusing on ensuring that the local body executes its various important tasks to redress civic issues. locals state that Benam is playing politics while garbage is not being disposed, damage roads are not being repaired, proper drainage is not being facilitated and necessary action is not being taken to resolve the problems caused by stray animals in town. Ensuring the proper disposal of garbage is among the main responsibilities of the local body but it is failing to execute this as required. The locals further point out that the municipality had purchased two plots of land at Mundakhal for garbage disposal and treatment but this land is not being put to the intended use allegedly to benefit some personal connections.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate has called civil society organisations, citizens, municipal board chairman and members along with department officials concerned for a meeting on Monday to discuss the sanitation issue.