Thorns In The Green Path: Dammaiguda’s Struggle for Haritha Haram Accountability And Sanitation
There have been issues regarding both accountability and operational effectiveness relating to the Haritha Haram project and sanitation endeavors in the Dammaiguda Municipality.
The Telangana Municipalities Act 2019 stipulates high survival rates for trees planted while also requiring garbage to be collected daily. However, shortcomings in these stipulated areas have sparked apprehensions amongst local residents.
Additionally, problems in transparency, as well as hurdles in accessing information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, are also potentially impeding efficient supervision.
Haritha Haram Program Accountability:
The Haritha Haram project, designed to boost greenery, has struggled to secure the longevity of their planted trees.
According to the Telangana Municipalities Act, ward members and special officers are obligated to maintain an 85% survival rate for these trees.
Nevertheless, obtaining this survival rate data from Dammaiguda Municipality has become difficult.
As per the local resident and active RTI Activist Umesh, “Despite repeated requests, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the municipality has failed to deliver relevant information on the survival rate, signaling a lack of openness and responsibility”.
This inadequate response has led to demands for a social audit and an intervention from the collector of the Medchal-Malkajgiri district to rectify the problem without further delay.
Sanitation Concerns and Compliance:
There exist apparent gaps between the legally stipulated sanitation practices and their actual execution as per the Telangana Municipalities Act.
By law, there should be daily garbage collection, however, evidence suggests the collection takes place every other day, thereby casting doubts on the municipality’s compliance with legal norms.
Additionally, there seems to be a discrepancy in the garbage disposal fees levied on residents and commercial establishments.
While the rate should be Rs 100 for residential and Rs 200 for commercial entities as per the rules, sources indicate that the actual fee charged is significantly higher, thereby causing financial hardship for the residents.
Lack of Regulation and RTI Challenges:
The absence of adequate rules and supervision regarding waste collection services has intensified sanitation problems.
Collectors appear to conduct their operations unchecked, levying charges beyond the set standards.
Additionally, obtaining information via the RTI Act is notably challenging. Waiting times stretching up to two months for RTI replies underscore the inefficiencies present.
Moreover, vital data such as the PIO’s contact details and the primary appellate authority are not visibly posted in the Municipality office.
This obstacle interferes with citizens’ ability to launch appeals and access information as required by the RTI Act.
According to the RTI activist Srikhande Umesh Kumar, the matter has been tried to put to higher officials several times through personal efforts and through social media platforms but to no avail
Dear @mc_dammaiguda I’m concerned abt the non-disclosure of Public Information Officer (PIO), (FAA), & Asst PIO details at your office.Can U please clarify the reason for this omission? Transparency & accountability r vital in serving the public. #RTIAct2005 #TransparencyMatters pic.twitter.com/HkEUlDAwfo
— Srikhande Umesh Kumar (@srikhande_umesh) July 5, 2023
The matters concerning the Haritha Haram initiative and sanitation efforts in Dammaiguda Municipality pinpoint the necessity for transparent governing and compliance with legal rules.
An apparent lack of responsibility towards tree preservation and inconsistent sanitation practices highlight the pressing need to tackle these issues.
Implementing regulatory rules for waste collectors, ensuring transparent distribution of information, and guaranteeing efficient RTI responses are fundamental actions to increase citizen involvement, enforce accountability, and enable good governance within the municipality.
