PUNE: To encourage housing societies to set up garbage processing plants on their premises, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is considering a subsidy for societies which produce 100 kg or more garbage per day.
Currently, the PMC collects a fine from societies that do not process wet garbage on their premises.
Till date, the PMC Solid Waste Management Department has imposed fines on more than 90 societies. If a society fails to treat garbage on its premises, the Department issues a notice on the first instance. If the society continues to not treat garbage, it will be fined on the second instance. On the third instance, the fine amount will be increased drastically and after that the PMC will stop collecting garbage from such societies.
As per Solid Waste Management Rules, all societies, bungalows, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, schools, hotels, marriage halls, government offices and other establishments where wet garbage of 100 kg per day or more is generated, are required to dispose it.
The waste can be disposed via vermicompost pits, biomethanation or any mechanical disposal on the premises.
Speaking to Sakal Times, PMC Solid Waste Management Joint Municipal Commissioner Department Dnyaneshwar Molak said, “We are checking feasibility of giving a subsidy to societies to set up plants for processing garbage on their premises. Fine is not the ultimate solution. So, we are discussing other options. But, it is at the primitive stage.”
An official of the Solid Waste Management Department said, “The subsidy can be offered through funds allotted for the ward development. Right now, most of the corporators use development funds to purchase jute bags and plastic buckets.”
PMC’s sanitary inspectors are conducting a survey to check whether societies are processing garbage on their premises. The PMC is also organising an exhibition in each zone to provide information to societies about the use of new technology for garbage processing plant in small area.
STRICT COMPLIANCE
- There are 15,000 residential societies in the city.
- Around 3,500 new societies were added this year. The PMC is collecting Rs 5,000 fine from each society.
