Latest news with #HarithaMitram
Time of India
6 days ago
- 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
05-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Misuse of twin bins continues to worry Kozhikode Corporation
It was a rush of pride that Manjima R.V., a homemaker from Elathur, felt as she saw the twin waste bins set up all along major roads in Kozhikode city for the first time. But her pride was short-lived as she found bags of waste dumped all around one such bin in the heart of the city. 'These bins look so classy and give a character to its surroundings. But the misuse defeats the purpose,' she lamented. The Kozhikode Corporation has set up twin steel bins all across the city to keep roads clean and encourage commuters to deposit minor waste such as toffee or biscuit wrappers promptly in the bins. But it has turned out to be a headache for the civic body in some parts of the city as people tend to deposit their household waste, including food and diapers, in and around the bins. 'We caught a few people red-handed and fined them. Our cleaning staff clears the bins promptly in the morning. But bags of waste appear around them within hours,' said S. Jayasree, health standing committee chairperson of the Corporation. The Corporation has appointed one extra employee in every health circle to ensure that the bins are cleared promptly. Besides, there are plans to absorb around 100 more people into the force. Ms. Jayasree said the Haritha Mitram mobile application that enabled the collection of household waste had 95% coverage in the city, and that most households cooperated with the Haritha Karma Sena. However, there are exceptions. 'We can educate only those who are unaware of the services we provide. This misuse of bins seems to be a deliberate mischief,' she added. She complained that the steel lids of the bins had been forcefully removed in some places. 'Depositing diapers and medical waste in the bins is a source of discomfort for cleaning workers. We have the 'Aakri' mobile application for efficient disposal of biomedical waste, including diapers and sanitary napkins, besides tubes and syringes. For those who cannot afford the services of the app, the Corporation supports them financially,' she added. Ms. Jayasree said the extra effort being put in for waste management due to the misuse of the bins was draining the Corporation of valuable funds and manpower that could have been put to positive use.
