Corporations to get financial assistance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Industries and Urban Affairs P K Kunhalikutty on Thursday promised to give a one-time financial assistance to all city corporations in the state for effective waste management. The promise was included in a 10-point action plan, the minister said in a statement.  The minister also said  that an ordinance will be promulgated to make it mandatory for installing compact waste treatment plants in flats, villas, commercial building complexes and restaurants and to prevent dumping of waste in public places.  Among the other points in the action plan are technical aid to local  bodies to develop indigenous waste treatment plants, financial aid to residents’ associations and other non-governmental organisations who come forward with schemes on waste management, ensuring participation of youths, entrusting Suchithwa Mission as the nodal agency for solid waste management in the state, awareness campaigns, decentralisation of waste treatment and hiking the financial aid to install vermicomposting units in houses from 50 to 75 per cent.