Siddipet: Harish Rao urges people's clean cooperation

• Says residents will be given two dustbins for segregation of waste

• People disposing of garbage in open plots will be fined Rs 5,000

• Pulls up police over the availability of banned gutkha

Siddipet: "We need to keep our surroundings clean just like we keep our homes neat and tidy. We are giving two dustbins for segregation of wet and dry waste to each house. Those who do not follow the regulations will be fined. If you throw garbage in empty plot space, you will be fined Rs 5,000," State Finance Minister Harish Rao has made it clear, here on Wednesday, while seeking people's cooperation in developing Siddipet.

As part of the 'Pattana Pragathi' programme, the minister visited wards nos. 20 and 30 of the special grade municipality of Siddipet on Wednesday, along with District Additional Collector Muzammil Khan, Municipal Chairman Rajanarsu and respective ward councilors.

The minister questioned the police officers how the banned gutka packets were available in the town. The minister expressed outrage and displeasure over the municipal officials when he found the garbage dumped in the open plots on every street in the Ward no 30.

The residents of the colonies have asked the minister that the underground drainage connection was not being provided and due to this, the mosquito population was increasing. The minister instructed the authorities to complete underground drainage connection works within ten days.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister said that due to unhygienic conditions, diseases such as malaria and dengue spread.

If there is no public participation, nothing can be done, Harish asserted. Jute bags would be distributed to 39,000 homes in the town soon, he said. "Soon, the 57-year-olds will be given pensions and the homeless will get double bedroom houses for the Ugadi festival".

SUDA Chairman Ravinder Reddy, AMC Chairman Pala Sairam, Municipal Commissioner Srinivas Reddy, DEE Laxman, Public Health EE Veera Pratap, DE Gopal, officials of various departments and other peoples' representatives were among those present.