How bureaucratic tussle over waste management is raising a stink in Kerala

The local self-government department is seen as witnessing a turf war, with two IAS officers launching projects with similar objectives and around the same timeThe Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala is witnessing unusual shadow-boxing and turf war among some bureaucrats. Health minister K. Muraleedharan apparently wants his principal secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph replaced with an IAS officer of his choice while in the local self-government department, two officials—department secretary T.V. Anupama, who is a 2010 batch IAS officer, and principal director Dr Divya S. Iyer, a 2014 batch IAS officer, are allegedly locked in a supremacy battle over waste management projects.On September 28, Anupama launched ‘Nirmalam’, a five-year comprehensive waste management project in the state. Its aim is 100 per cent scientific waste management and making Kerala waste-free by March 30, 2031.Divya, who works under Anupama, lodged a complaint with local self-governments minister K.M. Shaji, a leader of key UDF constituent Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), that she was sidelined during the planning and implementation of the project.Then Divya, on October 2, announced ‘IC 100 Challenge’, a separate ward-level 100-day project with objectives same as that of ‘Nirmalam’. Now, sources say, local bodies in the state are in utter confusion over the implementation and fund allocation for the two projects. Eventually, the department issued a note that Divya’s project was only for 100 days and a part of ‘Nirmalam’ itself. But as speculation still did the rounds, Shaji sought to assure that no bureaucratic ego clashes were impeding work in his ministry.“Both projects were launched after consulting me. Not only officers but citizens too must compete with each other to make Kerala free of waste. I request everyone to encourage such competition for a good cause,” Shaji said.Following the minister’s response, things appeared to settle as Iyer, in a social media post on October 9, stated that there was no turf war with department secretary Anupama or any kind of rivalry, competition or factionalism with anyone whatsoever.That, though, has not helped resolve the confusion among local self-government institutions. As a panchayat president and local Congress leader in Thiruvananthapuram told INDIA TODAY: “We have little clue about implementation of these two projects aimed towards effective waste management. In the past, many projects and missions failed at the execution level. These two new projects needed a ground-level action plan and fund allocation before launch.”Kerala, which has an estimated population of 36 million, generates approximately 10,076 tonnes of solid waste daily—that’s about 3.7 million tonnes a year. Roughly 70 per cent of the total waste is biodegradable. Dry waste accounts for 27 per cent. Besides, the state handles about 83,000 tonnes of biomedical waste and 71,000 tonnes of industrial waste every year.“The mere launch of dual programmes like these by civil servants will not resolve the complex waste management issues of Kerala. The streets are turning into dumping grounds, water bodies are battling high pollution. Unfortunately, some bureaucrats want their stamp on government programmes for personal hype whereas delivery becomes a casualty,” said a retired additional chief secretary, who did not wish to be named.Meanwhile, Muraleedharan urged chief minister V.D. Satheesan to remove his principal secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph from the health department after alleged differences over an investigation into the department’s affairs during the previous Left Front rule (2016-26). For now, Satheesan’s view on the demand is anybody’s guess.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends