Dharamsala, February 10: Several panchayats in Dharamsala block have voluntarily introduced sanitation charges to improve waste management and curb open dumping. Families, shops, and commercial establishments will now contribute monthly fees for garbage collection, a decision taken at gram sabha meetings held in January and February.
Sources said families categorized as Below Poverty Line (BPL) will pay between ₹30 and ₹50 per month, while Above Poverty Line (APL) families will contribute ₹70 to ₹100. Small shops and homestays will be charged up to ₹100, while hotels, restaurants, and schools will pay between ₹250 and ₹1,000.
The initiative aligns with the Union Government’s directive under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to introduce sanitation charges in rural areas. While the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats has not issued strict orders, Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been asked to encourage panchayats to adopt the system voluntarily.
“Panchayats are not being forced to impose sanitation charges. Instead, they are being encouraged to do so by involving local residents in the decision-making process,” said Raghav Sharma, Director of Rural Development and Panchayats, Himachal Pradesh. He mentioned that the funds collected would be used to hire workers for maintaining cleanliness in the villages.
Environmental NGOs in Dharamsala have played a key role in persuading panchayats to adopt the system. Sharma noted that while only 200 out of over 3,000 panchayats in the state have implemented sanitation fees so far, the department is considering formalizing regulations.
“We are planning to frame rules for panchayats to manage solid waste and impose sanitation charges. Panchayats will determine the fee structure and fines for littering at their level,” Sharma said.
Waste disposal remains a pressing issue in rural areas, with households generating plastic and other solid waste without an organized system for collection or treatment. In the absence of proper waste management, garbage is often dumped into rivers, streams, or on hillsides, raising environmental concerns.
Panchayats that have implemented sanitation charges include Bagni, Bagli, Balla Jadrangal, Barwala, Bhattaala, Chaitdu, Dhagwar, Kneed, Mandal, Padhar, Rakkad, Sokni Ka Kot, Tang Nirwana, Tangrot, Tangroti Khas, and Tau.
The Rural Development Department is expected to draft rules to streamline the process, ensuring sanitation charges become a sustainable solution for waste management in Himachal Pradesh’s villages.
