THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Kunnukuzhy ward had an unusual visitor on Friday morning. A man clad in a colourful kurta and mundu, whom they have mostly seen at the AKG centre or on the TV presenting the state budget or fielding questions from the reporters. It was the Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and the residents were surprised to see him demonstrating the effectiveness of kitchen bins.
Those who are familiar with him know he has been a strong advocate of implementing decentralised waste management system. He promoted it at his home town in Alappuzha. When he got feedbacks about the effectiveness of kitchen bins in the city, he extended his support to Corporation’s campaign at Palayam in October.
The minister’s demonstration marked the beginning of the installation of 400 kitchen bins in 38 wards in the city. The minister was accompanied by Mayor V K Prasanth, health standing committee chairperson K Sreekumar and others.
Corporation has embarked on a campaign called ‘freedom from waste’. Each bin costs Rs 1,800 and residents have to pay a service charge of Rs 200. The inoculum mixed with coir pith will be provided at subsidised rates. It charges Rs 60 for plastic waste. Five service providers along with 150 trained workers will be deployed to carry out weekly maintenance of the kitchen bins. Corporation will also install 25 aerobic bins, taking their numbers to 53 in the city.