Thiruvanathapuram: Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is considering a proposal to introduce a system which rewards people who inform the corporation of offences related to solid waste. This was a suggestion which came up when the draft of waste management bylaw was made available to the public for their suggestions recently. According to this, part of the penalty exacted from the offender will go to the person who took the initiative to inform the corporation officials.
Though there have been stakeholder meetings earlier, the officials say that the recent public consultation had to be conducted as it was stipulated by law. The bylaw was passed by the council in June 2017, almost a year ago. Had it come into effect and enforced, this World Environment Day, the capital city would have been an example to uphold. For even before the UN announced the June 5 theme as 'Beat Plastic Pollution', it had several provisions to curb the use of plastic.
There were penalties not just for retail shops which continued to give out plastic carry bags despite the ban, but users who would carry it. After getting passed, it was not immediately sent to the state government. Officials had said that the draft was getting polished. This year before May, the LSGD had told the corporation that the bylaw could be passed as long as it has completed all stipulated procedures.
Then, according to officials, the decision to complete the public consultation was taken. The rewards system suggestion needs to be thrashed out in a Health Standing Committee meeting. If they decide to include the suggestion in the draft bylaw, it would need council ratification. Later, the bylaw will once again be sent to the state government for approval. Finally, it will be published in the Gazette.
