BMC holds out mop to residents

Citizens Cleanliness Teams are meant to make people responsible for their own area
Laiq Qureshi. South Mumbai
Residents might now be given greater say in keeping their area clean. At least, that's what the Solid Waste Rules 2006 indicates.
Each councillor ward would have a Citizens Cleanliness Team (CCT). The team will provide regular reports, monitor cleanliness and participate in the organisation of mop-up drives or awareness campaigns in the ward. It will also help the civic body conduct cleanliness surveys. The NGO council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the BMC and will work with,it to facilitate the process.
"These reports have to be filed on the Internet, forwarded to BMC officials and
displayed publicly. This will be done to ensure feedback about the area's cleanliness," says Vinay Somani of NGO Council.
The BMC will set up a system to receive reports provided by the CCT According to Somani, residents could offer ways to improve the Solid Waste Management Programme, including a possible route. "They could suggest spots for placement of litter bins, recommend areas for a clean-up service," he said. "They could ask for nuisance detectors (BMC officials to check littering) and give a beautification plan."
The CCT reports will be acknowledged by the registered Local Area Citizen Group (LACG) and BMC officers, said Somani.
"From time to time, there will be meetings the Cleanliness Reporting Teams and NGO Council will meet the concerned BMC officers to ensure that the problems are set right and the system is improved," said Vinay..