Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today blamed the LDF-controlled City Corporation for its failure to remove and treat solid wastes which have piled up in various parts of the city over the last several months.
"The primary responsibility to keep the city clean is that of City Corporation, and they have done a grave mistake by not doing that," he said.
Though the state government had sanctioned Rs 43 crore to extend subsidy to those who set up pipe compost in their homes, only Rs six lakh has been spent so far. The government has decided to provide a subsidy of 90 per cent for setting up pipe compost. The target is to set up one lakh pipe composts but only 7,158 of them have come up, said Mr Chandy.
Removal and disposal of solid waste has virtually come to a standstill since December last after the closure of a waste treatment plant at Villapilsala due to resistance from local residents, who complained of environment pollution due to its operation.
Even though discussions were held with heads of Villapilsala panchayat and those who spearheaded the agitation, both the state government and City Corporation failed to arrive at a breakthrough.
With monsoon advancing, the situation has worsened with many people falling sick, said Mr Chandy. The state government will intervene to ensure that the waste is cleared within three days, he added.