Gujarat govt launches 'zero waste' policy

Gujarat government has launched a policy with the aim to make all civic bodies "zero-waste" cities in the state. The policy was launched on Thursday after the chief minister approved the same.

The policy gives power to each of the civic bodies to frame their individual laws to act against individuals or organisations committing erratic disposal of waste. The policy's main focus is over 100% segregation of waste, recycling and systematic disposal of the same.

The policy also aims to ensure toilets for each household, manual scavenging-free societies, disposal of sewerage water after treatment and providing additional funds to civic bodies for the same.

The policy has set ten goals to make all cities free from waste. It mentions: "All cities should be zero-waste cities and for that, 100% waste from residential, industrial and commercial areas is to be collected and stored after segregation. Construction waste and debris is to be collected and reused after recycling."

The policy states that all local urban bodies are vested with powers by the state government under Gujarat Municipal Corporation Act and Gujarat Municipalities Act to frame laws individually and to enforce them. The civic bodies will have to pass a resolution through the general board meeting to frame the law and get sanction from the cabinet of ministers too.

The state government, with this policy, has resolved to make the state free from manual scavenging including cleaning of places used for open defecation, manholes and cesspits. All the civic bodies will have to revive storm water drainage systems and take measures such that sewerage water is not disposed through storm water drainage. The state government will seek more funds from the Centre under various schemes for development of storm water drainage systems across all the civic bodies.

The civic bodies will also have to spare the space for sanitation infrastructure and will have to make land available for the same in town planning and development plans of cities or urban authorities. The urban bodies will also have to see to it that no water bodies within their jurisdictions are contaminated by waste water.

NEW MOVE

• The policy also makes compulsory the treatment of sewerage water and development of a network for drainage facilities for every household.
   
• Govt will help local bodies develop water supply and sanitation systems, enabled by MIS, will spread awareness in society about hygiene and sanitation.