Latest news with #HarithaKarmaSena
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Haritha Mithram 2.0 application for waste collection promises better monitoring and online payment facilities
The Local self government department has readied Haritha Mithram 2.0, the improved version of the mobile application for doorstep collection of waste, with online payment facilities, better monitoring of doorstep waste collection, Malayalam language support and integration with the KSMART system. The pilot run of the new application is ongoing in 30 local bodies. The implementation of the online payment system is expected to bring transparency in user fee collection. The Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members deployed for waste collection will also have a more user-friendly interface to deal with in the new application. The department organised a training programme for HKS members to familiarise them with the upgraded application. Along with Malayalam, work is ongoing to add more languages including Tamil and Kannada to the application. The department is now mapping all buildings in the State through KSMART to the Haritha Mithram application to ensure complete waste collection coverage. The application provides an option for common collection facilities for flat complexes and industrial establishments. In such cases, a common bill will be generated for the entire complex. Another new option is the availability of on demand services, which would allow the public to get services outside the regular calendar of the HKS. Currently, the various kinds of waste including cloth and glass are collected only in specific months. Through the new application, people can demand collection of specific kinds of waste on payment of a fixed fee. This particular feature will be implemented only as per the decisions of the respective local body and HKS unit in each area. In the next update of the application, the residents will get notification on the upcoming waste collection date and time, as well as contact information of the HKS worker who will collect the waste. Since the new application and data in it are completely cloud-based, some of the technical issues associated with the previous version are expected to be addressed. The Haritha Mithram 2.0 application will be formally launched in Thiruvananthapuram on August 20.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Scheme launched to provide entrepreneurial opportunities to Haritha Karma Sena workers
With an aim to enhance the livelihood of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) workers involved in waste collection in urban local bodies, the State government has launched a scheme to provide them with entrepreneurial opportunities and additional income streams. Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh inaugurated the scheme at a function held at Anthoor municipality in Kannur on Thursday (August 14, 2025), with the opening of the 'Bhoomika' organic fertilizer production and marketing unit established by the Anthoor HKS consortium. The new initiative, part of the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) and supported by the World Bank, is expected to benefit more than 7,000 HKS members in 93 municipalities. The programme will focus on establishing value-added enterprises under each local body's HKS consortium, with activities including cloth bag production, organic fertilizer manufacturing, scrap trading and a host of other options. Improved living standards The local self government will provide the enterprises with both technical and financial assistance to elevate the living standards of the HKS members and promote sustainable waste management practices. The KSWMP will extend non-repayable grants to two enterprises in each urban local body, with a total outlay of ₹24 crore earmarked for the initiative. The incubation of 93 enterprise units is already under way. At the function, the Minister handed out financial sanction letters to 19 approved Business Development Projects from Anthoor, Attingal, Varkala, Punalur, Adoor, Cherthala, Thodupuzha, Koothattukulam, Marad, Kodungallur, Guruvayur, Vadakkancherry, Pattambi, Palakkad, Perinthalmanna, Koyilandy, Mukkam, Sulthan Bathery and Neeleswaram municipalities.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Kerala to launch Haritha Karma Sena waste management initiative tomorrow
Kannur, Aug 13 (UNI) The Haritha Karma Sena also known as Green Army, a waste management initiative in Kerala's "Entrepreneurship Development Project", with an aim to generate additional income to its volunteers, will be launched tomorrow. Local Self Government (LSG) and Excise Minister M B Rajesh will inaugurate the State-level programme at Anthoor. The major entrepreneurship development project is implemented under the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), with the support of World Bank to boost income for the Haritha Karma Sena volunteers. The initiative will support value-added waste-based enterprises like organic fertilizer, cloth bags, mulch, and scrap trading. Minister Rajesh will also launch the Bhumika Harithakarmasena organic fertilizer unit in Anthoor and hand over financial approval letters to enterprises in 19 municipalities. The Rs 24 crore project will benefit around 7,000 Haritha Karma Sena members from 93 municipalities. It includes skill training, technical support, and local monitoring to ensure sustainability and improved livelihoods. UNI AK RN
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Haritha Karma Sena of Edakkattuvayal panchayat becomes a model in solid waste management
Kochi: Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members of Edakkattuvayal panchayat have become a model in solid waste management. Over the last fiscal year, they collected and processed 35 tonnes of waste from households and institutions in the panchayat, earning approximately Rs 80,000 in the process. Collection of inorganic waste is carried out by 23 HKSs across 14 wards in the panchayat. They spend 15 days each month collecting waste from homes and businesses, and remaining 15 days are dedicated to processing the collected waste. Waste collected through door-to-door collection is brought to a mini material collection facility and then handed over to Clean Kerala Company. Responsibilities of HKS extend beyond waste collection. They manage the swap shop initiated by the panchayat, where items like soap powder, chilli powder and coconut oil are made available to public at reduced rates. Additionally, inoculants for composting waste are available. Haritha Mitram app has been fully implemented. Panchayat president K R Jayakumar stated that efforts are ongoing to further activate green action force. Uniforms, badges and gloves have been distributed to them. Activities of green action force have been extended to all wards in the panchayat. Furthermore, an electric vehicle has been provided for the force. Jayakumar also mentioned that achieving 100% success in waste management is the goal. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Local bodies told to ensure a ‘green Onam'
The Local Self-Government department has issued directions to local bodies regarding waste management measures to ensure a 'green Onam.' 'Haritha Onam' will be incorporated in the branding of the Onam celebrations by local bodies across the State this year. A door-to-door campaign to create awareness on waste management will be carried out with Mahabali presented as the 'King of Cleanliness.' In a circular issued on Tuesday, the department asked the local bodies to prepare action plans to weave in ideas on waste management to their respective Onam celebration programmes. The local bodies have to ensure timely collection of waste, especially from commercial centres, and also ensure that the commercial establishments have separate waste bins for segregated waste collection. Temporary common composting arrangements can be made under each local body considering the huge amounts of biodegradable waste that will be produced. The community bio waste processing bins have to be cleared and prepared to meet the demands during the festival season. Similarly, the material collection facilities have to be cleared up foreseeing the non biodegradable waste produced during the season. More waste bins Street hawkers and other temporary commercial establishments which function only during the festival period also should be factored in while planning for waste management. More waste bins have to be placed in areas where crowds are generally seen during the Onam festivities. A charge officer has to be given the responsibility of ensuring periodic cleaning. Various institutions, offices and organisations have to be sensitised to not use banned plastic products for decorations as part of Onam. The local bodies have to organise meetings with traders' representatives to make them aware of the green protocol. Plastic cups, plates, artificial plantain leaf and spoons have to be avoided for Onam Sadya. Steps also have to be taken to promote alternative products to plastic carry bags, such as cloth bags. All non-biodegradable waste, except e-waste and sanitary waste, have to be collected as part of door-stop collection from households before Onam. Vehicles for collection of waste and shifting to the material collection facilities on the same day have to be ensured for all Haritha Karma Sena units. The local bodies have to distribute awards to government and private institutions, commercial establishments, residents' associations and flat complexes which excel in waste management efforts.
