YUPIA : Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering on Friday urged Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) to formulate innovative and practical solid waste management plans tailored to the needs of their respective jurisdictions.
The appeal came during a consultative meeting on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, held at the Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Conference Hall in Yupia.
The meeting was organised by the District Panchayat Office in collaboration with the district administration and attended by PRI representatives and officials from the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Department (PHE & WSD), Tourism Department and agri-allied sectors.
The meeting followed a Supreme Court directive dated February 19, 2026, mandating the transfer of solid waste management responsibilities to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), a function previously handled by the PHE & WSD and Urban Development Department.
Addressing the participants, the DC said waste management plans prepared by PRI members should clearly identify waste collection mechanisms, local challenges and departmental support requirements. He also stressed the need for active community participation in planning and implementation.
Emphasising the importance of practical engagement, Tsering suggested that future consultative meetings should be more interactive, with ZPMs personally presenting their proposals and action plans.
He further directed all ZPMs to identify Bulk Waste Generating (BWG) areas within their jurisdictions and submit the details to the Panchayat Office for registration and uploading on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal.
Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Panchayat Development Officer (DPDO) Tame Yajum, in her introductory address, said the transfer of solid waste management responsibilities to PRIs marks a significant step towards integrated and decentralised waste management. She expressed confidence that the combined efforts of PRI institutions and technical departments would help address waste management challenges effectively.
Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Bamang Yayu urged PRI members to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the new rules and called upon departmental officials to actively participate in Gram Sabhas to enhance public awareness.
During the meeting, Assistant Nodal Officer for Solid Waste Management Nabam Kuku delivered a detailed presentation on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and explained the roles and responsibilities of PRI members in implementing the provisions.
Officials from the PHE & WSD, including Executive Engineers Debia Padang and Sawang Riang, and Assistant Engineer Harang Sonam, briefed participants on various components of the Swachh Bharat Mission, including Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus initiatives.
The officials unanimously emphasised source segregation of waste as a key solution to addressing waste management challenges and highlighted the important role of women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in promoting responsible waste disposal practices.
The meeting was attended by ZPMs, PRI members, heads of agri-allied departments and officials from various line departments.
