CAG report
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 21 2020: Raising concern at the lack of personal protection equipment for the workers who are operating at the Solid Waste Management Plant located at Lamdeng, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has lamented that such practice will ultimately lead to health hazards for the workers in the long run.

As per the report which was tabled during the ongoing Assembly Session, the Solid Waste Management Rule 2016 states that all the workers engaged in such plants need to be supplied with uniforms, fluorescent jackets, masks, gloves and boots.

When the audit team visited the particular plant, they found that all the workers were not wearing the aforementioned protective gears, which is very dangerous for their health.

According to the official reply of the Department, the workers are reportedly supplied with the necessary protective gears but they refuse to wear them as they are not used to the items while doing their work.

The report made it clear that there were no proper paths inside the plant nor were there any facilities for washing the trucks and vehicles used for transportation of the wastes.

The people working in the land fill area are not provided regular health inspection.

The compost from the plant is not tested properly for micro-nutrients and heavy metals, the report mentioned, adding that as the State Pollution Control Board has failed to provide the reports to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Central body does not have any information regarding the solid waste management works of Manipur.

Observing that the methane gas produced from failing to properly cover up the solid wastes in the plant, presents a fire hazard, the report also stressed on the importance of giving priority to ensuring that foul smell from the plant do not trouble people who are settled in the nearby areas.

Even though MAHUD explained to the audit that the wastes from the municipal areas are not properly disposed due to lack of land and funds, the report pointed out that the Department had never sent any proposal to the Government seeking funds or land.

The report continued that Imphal Municipal Corporation bought 200 twin bins at a cost of Rs 7.03 lakh, without any tenders, but there was no cash memo, bills or any other documents related to the purchase.

However, according to the Department's response to the audit, the twin bins were bought on an emergency basis, the report added.

During the financial year 2015-16, Yairipok Municipal Council reportedly constructed two dustbins at a cost of Rs 5.45 lakh and during 2014-15, Kwakta Municipal Council constructed a dust bin at the cost of Rs 0.92 lakh.

However, when a joint verification was conducted, no such construction was found and as such, the Government was recommended to look into the matter, the report mentioned.

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