Associated News Bureau

Srinagar Municipal Corporation Directs Gazetted Officers to Adopt Home Composting

Srinagar, October 6: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has directed all its Gazetted Officers to adopt and practise home composting at their respective residences as part of an initiative aimed at promoting source-level management of biodegradable waste. According to Order No. 1150 of 2026, dated October 6, issued by the Office of the Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the initiative seeks to encourage decentralised processing of wet waste and reduce the quantity of biodegradable waste transported to municipal waste-processing facilities. Under the order, Gazetted Officers have been directed to ensure proper segregation of biodegradable and wet waste generated at their residences and process it through an appropriate home-composting method. The composting facility or activity is required to be maintained regularly and kept functional so that it develops into a sustained waste-management practice rather than remaining a one-time compliance exercise. The officers have also been asked to submit geotagged photographs of the home-composting facility or activity at their respective residences to the concerned Zonal Officer or Sectional Head within 10 days from the date of issuance of the order. The concerned officers will maintain records of compliance and submit a consolidated report to the Municipal Commissioner within the prescribed period. The SMC said the initiative is intended to promote a culture of “waste management at source”, under which waste is segregated and processed as close as possible to the point where it is generated. The order emphasises that senior officers of the Corporation are expected to lead by example and demonstrate the practicality and benefits of decentralised waste management. It further states that the salary for the current month in respect of Gazetted Officers will be released only after submission of the requisite geotagged photographs and compliance with the home-composting directions. All Joint Commissioners, the Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineers and Heads of Sections have been directed to bring the order to the notice of all Gazetted Officers and ensure timely monitoring of compliance.The order has come into force with immediate effect. ANB