Shillong, Mar 9: Minister in-charge Urban Affairs department Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday assured that the government will come up with a permanent solution for resolving the garbage problem in Jowai town.
“I assure to solve this critical problem at the earliest,” Dhar said while replying in the Assembly, which witnessed members raising concern over the garbage issue for the second consecutive day.
He said the government is planning to procure suitable land for the purpose of sanitary landfill and once a permanent landfill is acquired, dumping of garbage would be done scientifically.
“We are going to set up scientific waste processing plan,” Dhar added. He however said that the government will not go ahead with acquisition of land for the landfill until and unless everybody is taking on board.
According to him, the government is waiting for the report from the deputy commissioner on the matter.
UDP legislator from Mookaiaw Nujorki Sungoh said that more than 8 trucks of garbage have been dumped in Mawchudsdai despite protest. This has contradict the statement of the minister that the department will not go against the wish of the people, he added.
Sungoh also urged the government to resolve the issue at the earliest as he cited people have now started dumping of garbage along the Salaroh road in Jowai.
The minister said that presently, dumping of garbage has been stopped due to protest by some groups.
“We are waiting for final report from the deputy commissioner. If everything is okay we will acquire land for the permanent landfill,” he said adding “We are very serious on this issue and officers are on the job and in a short time will be able to solve the issue.”
AITC legislator from Mawsynram Himalaya H Shangpliang wanted to know what kind of action being taken as even after the minister’s assurance, the garbage is still lying where it was since yesterday, to which Dhar reassured that the garbage from Iawmusiang will be lifted by today evening.
AITC legislator from Umroi George Lyngdoh however said that the government doesn’t seem to be serious on the matter. “This is becoming a joke as I don’t know whether the minister understands the problem on the ground,” he said.
