TEZU, May 22: A district-level meeting regarding the implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026 in rural areas was held at the DC’s conference hall in Tezu under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Kesang Ngurup Damo.
The meeting focused on the rollout of the newly notified SWM Rules 2026, a key component of Swachh Bharat Mission. The rules, which came into effect from April 1, 2026, now extend to both urban and rural areas.
Addressing the officers, the Deputy Commissioner stated that the earlier Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 were largely limited to urban areas. With the enforcement of the SWM Rules 2026, rural regions have now been brought under the ambit of solid waste management. He further informed that the Department of Rural Development has been designated as the nodal department, while the Panchayati Raj Department will serve as the co-nodal department for implementation in rural areas.
The meeting was attended by the ADC Wakro, SDO-cum-DPDO, Deputy Director of Rural Development, DDSE, DD ICDS, AE PHE & WS, BDO and CDPO Tezu, RFO (HQs), SDRF officials, and representatives from ArSRLM and NGOs.
Detailed discussions were held on the guidelines of the Rural SWM Rules 2026 and strategies for effective grassroots implementation. Post deliberations, participants resolved to take immediate steps for the formation of task forces at the district, sub-division and circle levels.
The meeting also decided to establish special monitoring cells with designated nodal officers and team members to ensure coordinated implementation and monitoring. Extensive sensitisation programmes on the SWM Rules 2026 will be conducted at sub-division, circle, and Gram Panchayat levels with active participation from GBs, PRI representatives, self-help groups, NGOs, community-based organisations, and other stakeholders.
Concluding the meeting, the DC urged all concerned departments and stakeholders to implement the programme with sincerity and collective responsibility. He emphasised that the initiative should contribute towards achieving the vision of “Clean Lohit, Green Lohit.”