Led by Malerkotla DC, 56 panchayats’ panches tour Patiala to learn solid waste management

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Sept 14

To generate awareness on modernised waste management amongst office-bearers of rural local bodies, the administration, led by Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner Amrit Kaur Gill, facilitated members of at least 56 panchayats of the region to undertake an educational tour to various solid waste management projects in Patiala.

The tour was organised by the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) under the chairmanship of Parneet Shergill, additional secretary-cum-mission director, Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBMG).

The participants, including sarpanches and panches, imbibed tips on various elements of waste management through sanitary landfill, including leachate collection, material recovery facility, segregation of dry waste into various components, such as plastic, paper, hazardous, rubber, e-waste etc. They were shown a live plastic bailing process and reclamation of soil from the landfill through mechanised segregation.

Sub-Divisional Sanitation Engineer Sarabjit Singh said the participants were enthusiastic about learning the basics of latest techniques of eco-friendly and economic disposal of solid wastes and a substantial number of rural local bodies had shown interest in setting up modern solid waste plants at their villages.

Earlier, Shergill emphasised that adequate and efficient management of solid waste through community engagement in the rural areas was the need of the hour. She called upon the gram panchayats to install solid waste management plants at their villages by availing Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin and 15th Finance Commission grants. — OC