Border dispute between two panchayats gets stinking

Kochi: The continuous dumping of waste near Madavana region near Maradu has escalated the existing conflict between Maradu municipality and Kumbalam panchayat. Although the land where the waste is dumped belongs to Kumbalam panchayat, the panchayat officials allege the land is being used to dump waste collected from the municipality, leaving the waste unattended by both local bodies. The panchayat officials have also received complaints from residents of the area seeking immediate action to clear the accumulating waste. “The waste dumped in the area is brought from Maradu municipality. There are only a few residents in the area. The waste is being dumped in vehicles during the night. We had cleared the waste twice. How long could we keep doing this?” asked Kumbalam grama panchayat president K S Radhakrishnan. However, Maradu municipality chairman Antony Ashanparambil denied the allegation and said the municipality cannot take responsibility for the waste dumped in an area outside of its jurisdiction. “Instead of imposing fines on those responsible for the offence, why are the panchayat officials getting into blame game? Panchayat officials have the right to impose a penalty of up to Rs 50,000,” said Ashanparambil. Kumbalam panchayat officials are planning to install CCTV cameras to nab those dumping waste in the area. The conflict is also seen by many as a result of differences in the ruling fronts of both the local bodies. Maradu municipality has a majority of UDF councillors while Kumbalam panchayat is ruled by LDF. Last December, Kumbalam panchayat officials had come forward with allegations against Maradu municipality for placing large boards marking the jurisdiction of the municipality within the premises of the panchayat. The two local bodies claimed ownership of land in the adjoining areas of the local bodies.
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