Thiruvananthapuram : The three-day global expo organized by the Local Self-Government Department and the Sanitation Mission with the aim of making Kerala a completely waste-free state has started today (Saturday) at Ernakulam Marine Drive. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate at 10 am. Local Self-Government- Excise Department Minister M. B. Rajesh will preside. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan will deliver the keynote speech. Industries Minister P. Rajiv and German Consulate General Achim Burkart will be the chief guests.
Mayor M. Anilkumar, Highby Eden MP and MLAs T.J. Vinod, K.N. Unnikrishnan, K.J. Maxi, Uma Thomas, Zilla Panchayat President Ullas Thomas, Navkerala Karmapaddhati-2 Coordinator Dr. TN Seema, Chief Secretary VP Joy, Principal Secretary of Local Self-Government Department Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph and others will also be present in the inauguration ceremony.
Ten representatives from all the local bodies of the state, including chairpersons, standing committee chairpersons and executive officers, will participate in the conference. The expo will help in understanding modern and scientific methods of waste management and implementing them in local self-government bodies.
The expo will have more than 100 stalls showcasing modern technologies, machinery, ideas and alternative products in the field of waste management. The expo will showcase the best models implemented by local bodies recognized at the national and international level in the field of waste management.
8 panel discussions, 7 seminars, 3 lectures by subject experts, business to business meet and knowledge hub have also been organized with the participation of experts in the field of waste management from various states, representatives of various academic institutions, organizations in the subject area, students etc. 126 experts will participate in various sessions. Another is the Innovators Forum, which provides an opportunity for new entrepreneurs, researchers and start-ups to present their best ideas and innovative technologies.
The government aims to create a garbage-free Kerala within the next three years. 75000 job opportunities are also being sought through innovative initiatives in this sector.