THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “Local self-government institutions must actively participate in ensuring better public participation to accomplish the aim of a comprehensive garbage-free Kerala,” said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while inaugurating the Nirmal Gram Puraskar 2010-11 presentation ceremony here on Wednesday.Chandy said that failure in waste disposal, decline in the quality of drinking water and dirty water bodies were hurdles in achieving the goal and highlighted the need for effective waste disposal for our existence.He added that failure in the functioning of grama sabhas was found to be a major drawback in the three-tier panchayat system. “Action should begin from village sabhas to make water bodies dirt-free, initiating action to ban materials such as plastic and ensuring a combined activity for result-oriented output,” Chandy said. Perumatty panchayat in Palakkad and Meenadam panchayat in Kottayam received the Nirmal Gram Puraskar from the Chief Minister.Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty formally presented the Nirmal Grama Puraskar citation to Chungathara panchayat in Malappuram and Chempu panchayat in Kottayam.Panchayat Minister M K Muneer distributed the first instalment of cash award of the Nirmal Gram Puraskar and released ‘Suchitwa Keralam Vartha’, the bimonthly newsletter published by the Suchitwa Mission of the Local Self- Government Department. After releasing the newsletter, the Minister said that 75 per cent-subsidy will be provided for the shredding and granule making units engaged in plastic waste disposal. The Nirmal Gram Puraskar was conferred on 103 village panchayats and one block panchayat in Kerala. Six panchayats in Idukki, 19 panchayats in Kasargod, four panchayats in Kollam, 56 panchayats in Kottayam, four panchayats in Malappuram and Kumbalangy panchayat in Ernakulam were among the prize winners.In Thiruvananthapuram, Kottukal, Anchuthengu, Pulimath, Aruvikkara, Elakamon, Manamboor and Vithura made the grade. Rural Development Minister K C Joseph presided over the function. George Chakkacheri, executive director of Suchitwa Mission, presented the report. Mayor K Chandrika released the Thiruvananthapuram charter of ‘Malinya muktha Keralam’. The Puraskar was instituted by the Centre from 2005 onwards to make the comprehensive sanitation programme effective and competitive among the States. Once the remaining 26 village panchayats and 44 block panchayats in Kerala are given the award, the State will be the second in the country to be a comprehensive Nirmal state.
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