The declaration of ‘completely garbage-free’ local self-government bodies will be held across the State on March 30 as part of the Malinya Mukhtham Navakeralam campaign, which was formally kicked off on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti Day, and would end with the declaration of a totally clean Kerala on March 30, 2025, the International Zero Waste Day. According to Local Self Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh, the local bodies that have achieved the status as per the guidelines suggested by the State government have been directed to make the declaration by March 30.
Announcements of green schools, colleges, towns, markets, neighbourhood groups, tourism centres, offices, etc. are already underway. As part of the campaign, the announcement of 8,337 garbage-free wards in the State has been completed so far. A total of 126 grama panchayats and 13 municipalities have also been declared ‘waste-free’ local self-government bodies after fulfilling the conditions set by the government. The remaining local self-government bodies that achieve the target will be declared waste-free on March 30, said the Minister.
The remaining local self-government bodies are in the final stages of achieving the target. Currently, 50 local self-government bodies are lagging behind. This will be followed by district-level announcements by April 5. Each announcement programme will include status report presentations, award distribution in various categories, presentations of best practices, and planning of future activities, added the Minister.
Local self-government bodies that have achieved 80% progress in each of the 13 criteria set by the government are declared ‘waste-free’.
Published – March 26, 2025 08:57 pm IST
