Kerala has no dearth of funds for effective waste management projects

Even whenwaste managementin various places across the state is turning out to be a serious Health and environmental hazard, records show that there is no dearth of funds available for setting up effective Waste Management projects. Crores of rupees are left unused due to the government’s inability in implementing projects.

The AMRUT fund to the tune of Rs 600 crore to Rs 700 crore said to be unutilized for the current year stands as testimony to the low profile of functioning of the LSGIs as far as waste management is concerned,” said the minutes of the review meeting. As per records, there are 19 projects proposed under theAMRUT schemealone, of which 12 have not even started.

These projects are proposed to be undertaken by various agencies -KeralaWater Authority, AMRUT, IMPACT Kerala (special purpose vehicle for KIIFB projects in local self-government institutions) and Suchitwa Mission. These projects are worth Rs 633.65 crore, of which the implementing agencies have received Rs 198.23 crore. Of this, Rs 50.23 crore only has been utilized so far, data shows.