CPI-M workers to collect and dispose solid waste

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M leaders Friday decided to clean Kerala through the collection and disposal of solid waste.

The party has decided to go ahead with tackling waste in the state through mass movement, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) secretary Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after the state committee meeting here.

"I will make one thing clear that this movement against tackling municipal solid waste is not a party programme, but it would be a mass movement. All can take part in the movement," said Vijayan.

When asked if the CPI-M leaders will cooperate with the clean up programmes announced by the Oommen Chandy government, he said the state government has not found any solution to the waste menace all these years.

"The centralised disposal of waste has not picked up. We are talking about a decentralised model that include taking care of waste at its source through pipe compost method, setting up of small bio-gas units besides putting up aerobic bins," said Vijayan.

P.P. Thankachen, convener of the Congress-led United Democratic Front government, dismissed the plan, saying the CPI-M is trying to make political gains.

"The CPI-M leaders should first make efforts to wash their stains. Waste collection and disposal will be taken care of by the state government and the local self governments," said Thankachen.