‘Outstation staff responsible for garbage troubles’

Eluru: Collector K Bhaskar has said Panchayat officials staying at places other than work place are responsible for garbage problems in rural areas.

He convened a review meeting on progress of panchayats with officials concerned here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Panchayat Secretaries and EORDs were staying outstation and not taking proper care of sanitation in the villages.

While 100 per cent garbage collection was possible in many villages, why the same was not happening in some villages, he questioned.

The Collector said that the EORDs had been failing to look after sanitation, water supply, street lighting, tax collection and other duties as they had no control over panchayat secretaries.

He asked the officials to set up vehicle repair centres for attending repairs to green vehicles collecting garbage in rural areas. The vehicles should not be used for purposes other than garbage collection. 

The vehicles should not be used for transportation of public. He also directed the officials to avoid delay in repayment of loans taken for vehicles. 

He also ordered them to hold training classes for the green ambassadors who collect garbage in villages. 

The government was paying Rs 6,000 to each of them apart from Rs 8,000 income they realise from house owners.