The Hindu 10.11.2014
Govt. mulls setting up new department for sanitation
It’ll be like the one set up for the supply of drinking water: Urban Development Minister
The State government is thinking of constituting a separate department for sanitation and solid waste management, according to Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development.
Speaking to presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Sorake said that the new department would be on the lines of the one set up for the supply of drinking water in urban areas. “We plan to post a senior IAS cadre officer as the head of the department for the systematic disposal of solid waste. The government’s final decision is awaited for the proposal to take shape,” he said.
Mr. Sorake said that due to the shortage of staff in urban local bodies, the department had proposed to recruit for 2,500 various posts and had forwarded a proposal to the Finance Department. On getting the approval, the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) had assured of completing the recruitment process within two months.
“Meanwhile, the government has permitted urban local bodies to appoint the required staff either on contract or outsource it for three months. In addition, 1,000 pourakarmiks will also be appointed on equal pay for equal work,” he said.
The Minister said that the government had proposed Ballari or Hosapete to be developed as a smart city along with eight other major cities in the State. He also informed that the State governmenthad pointed out that the concept of a smart city as has been proposed does not cover inclusive development and had asked to look into the matter.
“We have also proposed that at least three smart cities should come up around Bengaluru keeping in view the population touching nearly a crore,” he added.
Mr. Sorake said that he was not satisfied with the basic civic amenities provided in Ballari and had instructed the Municipal Commissioner to initiate steps to streamline them within two months.
‘A senior IAS cadre officer will head the proposed department for the disposal of solid waste’
Recruitment for 2,500 posts in urban local bodies to be taken up