Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has appointed former Kerala Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand (IAS: 1981: KL) as a special rapporteur-cum-special monitor to assess the waste-management crisis in Thiruvananthapuram and recommend corrective measures.
The Commission has described the solid-waste disposal system in the capital city as a “huge crisis”, particularly in view of the accumulation of waste in public spaces, canals and water bodies.
The appointment follows the Commission’s suo-motu intervention into the issue after reports highlighted large-scale dumping of waste and inadequate cleaning of drains across the city.
Vijayanand will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the existing waste-management system and advise the authorities on measures required to address the shortcomings.
KSHRC Flags Waste Accumulation in Canals and Water Bodies
The Human Rights Commission noted that several canals and water bodies in the city have been filled with substantial quantities of waste, including plastic.
The Pazhavangadi Canal and Thekkanamkara Canal, in particular, have reportedly turned into major waste carriers because of illegal dumping.
The Commission also highlighted the failure to ensure regular cleaning of drains adjoining public roads, raising concerns about sanitation, public health and the overall urban environment.
The proceedings were initiated after the KSHRC took suo-motu cognisance based on newspaper reports regarding the waste-management crisis in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation area.
The Commission had earlier directed Corporation officials and the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) to conduct inspections and enquiries and take effective action.
Two Experts to Assist Former Chief Secretary
Vijayanand will be assisted by a two-member team of experts with experience in environmental science and waste management.
The experts appointed by the Commission are R Ajay Kumar Varma, former Chief Scientist at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies and former Executive Director of Suchitwa Mission, and N Jagajeevan, a waste-management consultant associated with Suchitwa Mission.
The team will assist the special rapporteur in examining the ground situation, collecting relevant data and preparing recommendations for improving the city’s waste-management system.
Assessment to Cover Major Dumping Hotspots
The special rapporteur’s assessment will cover complaints concerning large-scale illegal dumping of waste at various locations within the limits of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
The exercise will specifically examine conditions at the Pazhavangadi Canal, Thekkanamkara Canal and Amayizhanchan Thodu, besides assessing the cleaning and maintenance of drains across the city.
The team will also examine the broader functioning of the city’s solid-waste disposal arrangements and identify gaps requiring administrative intervention.
Corporation Asked to Submit Complete Waste-Management Details
The KSHRC has directed the Corporation Secretary to provide comprehensive information about the city’s existing waste-management programmes.
The information sought includes details of human resources, infrastructure and financial resources available for waste management.
The civic body has also been directed to provide details of proposed solid-waste management projects, including their anticipated sources of funding.
The Corporation has further been asked to facilitate visits to waste-management facilities and provide logistical support for data collection, mapping and preparation of the assessment report.
The Principal Director of LSGD has been asked to appoint a nodal officer and organise consultation meetings to facilitate the exercise.
Who Is S M Vijayanand?
S M Vijayanand is a retired 1981-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre who served as Chief Secretary of Kerala from April 2016 until his retirement in March 2017.
Born on March 15, 1957, Vijayanand holds postgraduate degrees in English and Applied Economics. During his long administrative career, he served in several important positions, including District Collector, Labour Commissioner, Deputy Secretary, Special Secretary, Additional Secretary and Secretary.
His career has been particularly associated with decentralised governance, rural development and local-level planning.
Architect of Kerala’s People’s Planning Initiatives
Vijayanand is widely associated with Kerala’s landmark People’s Planning Campaign (Janakeeyasoothranam)launched in 1996.
He also played an important role in the conceptualisation and development of Kudumbashree, Kerala’s women-led poverty eradication and community development programme.
His experience in decentralised administration and local governance makes his latest assignment particularly significant because waste management in urban areas requires close coordination between municipal institutions, state departments and local communities.
National-Level Experience in Panchayati Raj
Vijayanand also served at the Centre as Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
During his tenure, he was associated with the introduction of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)framework across the country, aimed at strengthening participatory planning and improving development outcomes at the grassroots level.
His administrative experience therefore spans both state and national institutions, as well as local governance and public-service delivery.
Post-Retirement Public Policy Roles
Even after retiring as Kerala Chief Secretary, Vijayanand has continued to contribute to public policy and institutional development.
He has served as Chairman of the Sixth State Finance Commission of Kerala and has been associated with institutions including the Centre for Management Development (CMD) and the Laurie Baker Centre.
His latest appointment by the KSHRC brings his experience in decentralised governance and public administration to one of Kerala’s most pressing urban-management challenges.
KSHRC Intervention Comes Amid Growing Waste Concerns
The appointment of a former Chief Secretary as special rapporteur-cum-special monitor underlines the seriousness with which the Human Rights Commission is viewing the waste-management situation in the state capital.
The exercise will not only examine illegal dumping and the condition of canals and water bodies but also assess the existing institutional capacity, infrastructure, funding and implementation mechanisms of the city’s waste-management system.
The findings and recommendations emerging from Vijayanand’s assessment could provide the Commission and the state authorities with a roadmap for addressing the city’s persistent waste-management problems.
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