The Times of India               07.05.2013

Major garbage treatment drive planned in district

Officials with the state government said that priority would be given to applications submitted by residents of grama panchayats. "Last year, we focused on municipalities. So, we couldn't cater to the requirements of panchayats. This time, we intent to compensate for it," said P K Alexander, district coordinator, Suchitwa Mission, Ernakulam district.

For setting up a biogas plant, the state government would bear 50% of the cost while the concerned local body would provide 25%. The beneficiary will have to fund the rest. In the case of pipe compost plant, the local body and the state government will contribute a total of 90%. "Setting up a pipe compost unit is cheaper. It would cost only Rs 900. A biogas plant on the other will need Rs 8,500. So preference will be given to pipe compost units," Alexander said.

According to Suchitwa Mission officials, the project would continue till all the households in the district are covered. On an average, there are about 5,000 households in each panchayat in the district. Ernakulam has 84 grama panchayats, 11 municipalities and a corporation.