TEZU :  A district-level meeting on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026 in rural areas was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here on Friday under the chairmanship of Lohit Deputy Commissioner Kesang Ngurup Damo.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the newly notified SWM Rules 2026, a key component of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The rules, which came into effect on April 1 this year, now extend to both urban and rural areas.

Addressing the meeting, Damo said the earlier Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 were implemented mainly in urban areas, while the new rules have brought rural areas under the ambit of scientific solid waste management. He informed that the Rural Development Department has been designated as the nodal department for implementation in rural areas, while the Panchayati Raj Department will function as the co-nodal department.

Detailed deliberations were held on the guidelines of the Rural Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 and measures required for effective implementation at the grassroots level. The meeting resolved to initiate immediate steps for the formation of task forces at the district, subdivision and circle levels.

It was also decided to constitute special cells with designated nodal officers and team members for coordinated implementation and monitoring.

The participants further resolved to conduct extensive sensitisation programmes at the subdivision, circle and gram panchayat levels with the involvement of Gaon Burahs, Panchayati Raj institution members, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations and other stakeholders.

Concluding the meeting, the DC urged all officers and stakeholders to implement the programme with sincerity and collective responsibility to realise the vision of “Clean Lohit, Green Lohit.”

The meeting was attended by Wakro Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officer-cum-District Panchayat Development Officer, Deputy Director of Rural Development, Deputy Director of School Education, Deputy Director of Integrated Child Development Services, Assistant Engineer of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply, Block Development Officer and Child Development Project Officer of Tezu, Range Forest Officer Headquarters, officials of the State Disaster Response Force, representatives of Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission and NGOs. (DIPR)