Dustbins meant for free distribution are being sold in Haveri markets

Haveri: The Union government has been spending crores on sanitation works under the Swachh Bharath campaign across the nation.
As part of this, people in rural areas are getting dustbins free of charge for disposing of wet and dry garbage from gram panchayats. But these dustbins are being sold in the open market in Haveri. Some gram panchayat authorities are allegedly involved in this.
Some plastic shopkeepers in Haveri city are selling dustbins that are branded as Swachh Bharath and cost Rs 70 each. The shopkeepers sell these dustbins without any hesitation and give bills too.
As per rules, the dustbins distributed under Swachh Bharath by the local gram panchayats should not be sold as they are free. The state and Union governments have been spending crores for the purpose. Grama panchayats must distribute two dustbins to each house. But some gram panchayats allegedly have sold such bins to shops instead of distributing them.
Abhishek Uppin, a member of Yuva Brigade, said “I found dustbins which were supposed to be distributed to households at an open market in Haveri city. These dustbins have a label of Kanavalli gram panchayat. I asked the vendor how he could sell these dustbins in the open market despite them being meant for free distribution. The vendor clarified that he got the dustbins from somebody. I have purchased one dustbin for the evidence.”
Interestingly, Kanavalli gram panchayat authorities started distributing the dustbins at the village only on Saturday after it became known that the bins were being sold in the Haveri market.
Uppin demanded that the Haveri zilla panchayat CEO initiate disciplinary action against those involved and alleged that people in other gram panchayats may also been involved in similar illegalities. “This is a crime because the purpose of ensuring cleanliness in our villages wouldn’t be served if the dustbins are not distributed free of cost to those who can’t afford them,” he added.
ZP CEO assures action
When contacted, Haveri zilla panchayat CEO Akshy Sridhar clarified that dustbins under Swachh Bharath Ahiyaan should not be sold in the open market. “I will initiate action against culprits involved in this,” he added.