The cities of Telangana, with special emphasis on Hyderabad, may have to miss the Swachh Survekshan rankings this time round, owing to the line-up of various elections.
Already, many other States have begun the preparations for the pan-India ranking of urban local bodies in parameters related to urban sanitation.
In no position to compete
Telangana, while being busy with elections on one hand, is not in a position to compete, owing to the prevalence of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) here.
While the elections here were to be conducted in tandem with the Parliament elections, the State Cabinet’s decision to dissolve the Assembly and go for early polls has spoilt it for the ULBs. After December 11 when the results will be out, even before the newly constituted State government could gather the reins, the State will be ready for the Panchayat elections, and a second round of MCC.
No postponement
The elections cannot be postponed, as the High Court, in October, has directed the State Election Commission to conduct the polls within three months.
Simultaneous with the Panchayat polls, the State may have to face elections for three seats in Legislative Council in seven of its erstwhile 10 districts, once again resulting in extension of model code.
Parliament elections
Above all, with Parliament elections in tow, for which notification is likely to be released in March, the district administrations and ULBs will be kept busy in preparations for the same, officials opine.
The Swachh Survekshan this time, will be based primarily on four parameters, divided into Service Level Progress, Direct Observation, Citizens’ Feedback, and Certifications for Garbage Free Cities and Open Defecation Free Cities. Total marks to be awarded are 5000, distributed equally across the parameters.
“We had a few meetings for Swachh Survekshan, but realised that preparation for the same could result in violation of the model code, and stopped pursuing the targets.
Before we can gather our wits after these elections, the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Electoral Rolls for parliament elections will be upon us,” says a highly placed official from GHMC.
Collection and transportation of garbage, processing and disposal, and sustainable sanitation practices are the major determinants of the ranking in the Service Level Progress section, for which the municipal body needs to pull up its socks and put in hard work.
Failed experiment
Segregation of garbage at source is yet to take off in the city, with the twin bin distribution failing to deliver any results. Bulk garbage generators too are yet to fall in line, when it comes to installation of compost units in their premises.
“We cannot even install twin bins in public areas, as it will be complained about as violation of model code. Hence, we have set aside the Swachh work,” says the official.