As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet Swachh Bharat Abhiyan completes two years, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) is launching its own campaign to implement this scheme within its limits.
The civic body will be holding a cleanliness awareness rally on October 2, at which people will be encouraged to participate in its scheme. “We will be involving all stakeholders instrumental in maintaining a clean society,” said Dr. Sambhaji Panpatte, Deputy Commissioner, MBMC. Sabha samities, builders, members of housing societies, schools and residents will be taking part in the rally, among others.
Ideas to be highlighted at the rally will include wet and dry waste segregation, dumping of waste in public places, banning of plastic bags below 50 microns and defecating in public. Mr. Panpatte said, “We are already ensuring that 100 per cent garbage (380 to 400 metric tonnes) is picked up every day from all residential complexes and open areas. This rally will bring awareness about new measures being initiated by the civic body.”
In a first, housing societies will be graded on seven parameters from October 2. “MBMC is the first municipality to implement this scheme, which will be replicated across Maharashtra. This is an all-year process,” he said., Societies will have to maintain a record of their activities on waste disposal and cleanliness, and will be graded after a year in 2017.
This grading will also be applicable for schools, colleges, hotels and restaurants.
The writer is a freelance journalist