By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wayanad in Keralam is set to become the first e-waste-free model district in the country by November 1.
The campaign has slipped into top gear with the focus on collecting electronic waste from households and private establishments, following the collection of 31 tonnes from government offices across the district.
Agriculture Minister T. Siddique told presspersons that the campaign was a step towards making the district waste-free and promoting scientific waste management. The second phase will be implemented with the help of local self-government institutions, elected representatives and Haritha Karma Sena members.
E-waste will be collected through special counters at the ward level and door-to-door drives before being handed over to agencies contracted by local bodies for scientific processing and disposal. Compensation will be given to people at rates fixed by the Government for the waste they hand over. The participation of every household and private establishment will be essential for achieving the target by November 1 – Keralam Formation Day. If the campaign is completed on time, Wayanad will become the first district in the country to achieve this goal and set an example for others to follow.
E-waste removal has become essential as it contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium that could threaten human health and the environment if improperly disposed of. The first phase of the campaign, conducted from September 28 to 30, focused on removing accumulated e-waste from government offices.
Kalpetta and Bathery accounted for 12 tonnes each, while five tonnes were collected form Mananthawady and tonnes from Panamaram. The collected waste was handed over to Clean Kerala Company for scientific processing and disposal. The e-waste-free campaign will improve environmental safety for residents, particularly children, while strengthening the district’s image as a tourist destination.
The State Government has fulfilled a long-standing demand of Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs)who have returned by starting the process of issuing ‘NoRKA-Returnee ID Card.’ The card is intended for Keralites who have returned after residing outside the State or country for a minimum period of two years.
A web portal for this purpose has been made available from October 8. Prakash P. Joseph, general manager of NoRKA Roots for registration, inaugurated the portal and a dedicated enrolment assistance centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
The card will enable the NRKs to access various government services. It would also help them to avail themselves of welfare and rehabilitation schemes designed for returning expatriates. The portal can be accessed by visiting the NoRKA-Roots website at norkaroots.kerala.gov.in.
Applications for the card can be submitted online or through Akshaya centres across the State. The fee for the ID card, which has a validity of three years, is Rs 200.
A dedicated help desk has been set up at NoRKA Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Once enrolment is completed and the verification of the document is finalized, the e-card will be sent to the registered mobile number.
Applications should provide a passport-sized photograph, Aadhar Card, and proof of their status as a returnee migrant. The documents accepted as proof of having resided abroad include an expired NoRKA migrant ID card; migrant welfare board membership card, and self-attested copies of visa pages from the passport. For those who resided in other states, an expired NRK ID card or migrant welfare fund board membership will be enough.
Alternatively, a certificate confirming residence as a migrant Keralite for over two years and subsequent permanent settlement in Kerala issued by a village officer, secretary or president of a local self-government institution, gazette officer, MLA/MP, is also accepted.
A meeting between Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has decided to expedite National Highway and other road projects in the State.
According to a statement issued by the cm’s office, Gadkari has promised to take urgent steps to resolve bottlenecks and speed up the construction of the NH-66 project.
The pending approvals for the NH-966 Kozhikode-Palakkad project would also be granted within three months. Around 80 per cent of the land acquired for the project is complete. The Minister has also promised that the Union Government’s approval for the Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road Project would be granted soon.
Among the other decisions were the ones to prepare a detailed project report(DPR) for the Sabarimala ropeway, fast-track the necessary central and State approvals, and take steps to complete the project within two years.
The Chief Minister also sought expedite major road projects in the State, including the Western Ernakulam bypass, Kothamangalam-Muvattupuzha bypass and the connectivity project to the Kozhikode International Airport along with other road projects.
The State Government has also allocated over Rs 600 crore as additional funds for Karunya health schemes to clear pending claims.
The additional allocation is over and above the Rs 592 crore budgetary proposals for the Karunya project. (IPA Service)
