New Delhi: Images of garbage in open in the city of Guwahati in Assam are doing rounds on social media raising questions on the conduct of the government, civic authorities and residents of the town. Reacting to one such post of pictures of garbage, Assam's minister of Housing and Urban Affairs said that he was helpless.
In a tweet, minister Ashok Singhal said, “I am helpless.”
Responding to his tweet, Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi suggested, “Minister saheb, I think we need to mount a massive campaign for a civic protocol involving only young students and NGOs. Politicians should hide from this campaign because the moment the 'Aam Aadmi' see a minister or politician pop in, they take it in a very casual manner.”
Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) northeast States incharge Rajesh Sharma took a jibe on the post and said, “Triple engine govt of BJP has failed in Assam in sanitation, garbage management, drainage in Guwahati. When the whole machinery is busy in minting money obviously the minister have to say “I am helpless.” Please discuss this in tomorrow’s cabinet, how to help him @himantabiswa.”
Singhal also retweeted a tweet of BJP Yuva Morcha's social media in-charge which read, "I am literally ashamed to call myself a Guwahatian! At one side, @GMDAGuwahati, @gmc_guwahati under the guidance of HCM @himantabiswa, HM @TheAshokSinghal are working on war footing mode to clean Guwahati & on the other side citizens are taking this beautiful city for granted!"
According to North-East Rising, Singhal’s tweets came after heavy rainfall in Guwahati resulted in flooding and waterlogging in many areas. It also led to the overflowing of garbage bins and littered streets. The worsening situations, as per the report, are leading to health hazards and inconvenience for the residents.
The tweet has also sparked a debate on social media with many people expressing anger over the conduct of the citizens. According to North-East Rising's report, some have also criticised the minister for passing the buck.
Notably, the problem of garbage dumping in Guwahati is not new. The town has been battling with the issue for years, and despite various campaigns and initiatives, the situation remains grim.
The basic reason for the menace is the lack of proper waste management infrastructure.