Clubs inside Company Bagh violating MSW rules, says MC

Charanjit Singh Teja

Amritsar, February 17

Three elite clubs inside Ram Bagh (Company Garden) were found in a filthy condition and lacked waste-processing units. Besides, they were found burning garbage and using single-use plastic. Last week, The Tribune had highlighted the Lumsden Club management burying dry leaves and waste in the soil, in a park occupied by the club.

Taking strong cognisance of the matter, the Municipal Corporation Commissioner Harpreet Singh instructed Health Officer Dr Kiran Kumar to conduct investigation. Dr Kiran along with his team visited the Ram Bagh and conducted inspection at the Service Club, Amritsar Club and Lumsden Club, located in the Bagh.

The Health Officer said all the three clubs were violating the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules-2016. There was no processing unit for waste management inside the clubs.

He said that compost machines to handle bulk waste were also not installed in the clubs. Besides, there was no arrangement to manage wet and dry waste separately. He stated the kitchens of the clubs were also found in unhygienic conditions.

Single-use plastic was seized in the Amritsar Club. The Health Officer said that the clubs had been dumping their dry and wet garbage inside the garden, due to which the image of the city’s historical Company Bagh was being tarnished.

Dr Kiran said challans were issued to the clubs for multiple violations. “The clubs have been warned to arrange composite machines as soon as possible. The solid waste should be treated through the machine. All club administrations were warned and advised to abide by the rules and regulation,” he said.

MC officials offered the club administration training from the Health Department, stating they will visit the clubs again, warning imposition of heavy fine if the violations continued.