Srinagar, Oct 6 (JKNS): The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has directed all its Gazetted Officers to adopt and practice home composting at their respective residences, wherever practicable, with immediate effect.
According to Order No. 1158 of 2026, issued by the Office of the Commissioner, SMC, as per news agency JKNS, the initiative aims to promote source-level management of biodegradable waste, encourage decentralised processing of wet waste and reduce the quantity of waste requiring transportation to municipal waste-processing facilities.
The order directs the officers to ensure proper segregation of biodegradable/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 the initiative becomes a sustained waste-management practice rather than a one-time compliance exercise.
All Gazetted Officers have been directed to submit geotagged photographs of the home-composting facility/activity at their residences to the concerned Zonal Officer or Sectional Head within 10 days from the date of issuance of the order.
The concerned Zonal Officers and Sectional Heads have been asked to maintain proper records of compliance and submit a consolidated report to the office of 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 of generation.
“The senior officers of the Corporation are expected to lead by example and demonstrate the practicality and benefits of decentralized waste management,” the order states.
In a significant compliance measure, the SMC has ordered that the salary for the current month of all Gazetted Officers shall be released only after submission of the requisite geotagged photographs and compliance regarding home composting.
All Joint Commissioners, the Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineers and Heads of Sections have been directed to bring the contents of the order to the notice of all Gazetted Officers and ensure timely monitoring of compliance.
The order has come into force with immediate effect. (JKNS)