GUWAHATI, Aug 17 - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is embarking on a cleanliness drive in the city to keep the streets, rivers and drains free from the garbage.
This was stated by GMC Commissioner Debeswar Malakar at a function held at the Pensioners� Bhawan, Chandmari here today under the aegis of the Guwahati Senior Citizens' Association (GSCA).
Over a hundred GSCA members attended the meeting which was presided over by senior journalist DN Chakravartty.
Malakar said the GMC had started a �Safai� (cleanliness) drive in the city and that the dustbins would be withdrawn and all the garbage generated by the city households would be collected by the municipality, taken to Chandrapur for converting those into electric power, thereby relieving the Deepor Beel from being ruined by the existing dumping ground.
He added that with a view to generating consciousness among the citizens, the GMC would impose fines and award persons intimating the GMC of violation of municipality rules regarding garbage disposal with photographs.
�Throwing of garbages into several rivers, channels and drains will be stopped and footpaths will be cleared from vendors and all kinds of encroachers. Police will be deployed at specific points on footpaths and if the footpaths being encroached, the policeman concerned will be punished,� he said.
The GMC has identified seven plots in the city for its operation cleanliness. The Down Town area has been selected for the launch of the drive. Malakar said if anybody threw garbage into the rivers or channels, the offender would be heavily fined and even jailed for repeated violations. In order to clear the debris and rubbles in connection with house construction, fallen coconut leaves, and garbage from marriage and other functions, those will be collected systematically and scientifically disposed of.
Earlier, Baneswar Khound, general secretary, GSCA, welcomed the guests and presented the quarterly report.
Chakravartty in his presidential remarks said India�s independence in 1947 not only liberated 400 million Indians but flung the door open for the emancipation of over 150 countries of Asia and Africa.
Uttam Baruah was felicitated for him being chosen for the State Government�s literary pension.
Dr Devdas Bharali, Dr Pratap Chandra Sarma, Hem Chandra Sarma and Dharma Ranjan Bhagawati also took part in the discussion.
