Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to strictly enforce the norms laid down for solid waste management at household level.
This was revealed at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy here Thursday.
Housing & Urban Development Secretary G Mathivathanan said the solid waste generated per household in Odisha’s urban areas is 300 grams per day, which is less than the national average. He said 2,024 wards in the state’s 114 urban local bodies (ULBs) generate 2,575 tonne solid waste per day.
The Chief Secretary ordered to engage women from self help group (SHGs) to manage solid wastes in urban areas. There are about 30,000 women SHGs in urban areas.
Municipal Administration Director Sangramjit Nayak said in urban centres 1,200 Swachha Sathis have been engaged for solid waste management. Each Swachha Sathi is in charge of 600 households in urban areas. One supervisor will be appointed to supervise four Swachha Sathis, he said.
The government has also decided to include a chapter on water and wastewater management at the secondary level to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene.
The decision comes after the frequent outbreaks of water-borne diseases in the state attributed to faecal contamination of drinking water. Experts said the outbreak could have been prevented if people were aware of dangers.
The Chief Secretary asked the School and Mass Education Department to consult the Housing and Urban Development Department and agencies dealing with water and wastewater management before designing the course.