Itanagar, July 7: A crucial review meeting on the collection of user fees/charges for Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Tawang township was convened today at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Tawang, Namgyal Angmo, IAS, and witnessed the active participation of all key stakeholders involved in the urban waste management system.

The session focused on streamlining the collection of nominal user fees from hoteliers, restaurant owners, government offices, staff quarters, and other commercial establishments availing garbage collection services provided by the Urban Development Department.

In her opening remarks, DC Namgyal Angmo clarified that the user fee is not a tax, but a necessary contribution towards sustaining the manpower and machinery engaged in ensuring a clean and hygienic Tawang.

She called upon all stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the district administration’s efforts in managing waste more effectively and in preserving Tawang’s pristine natural beauty. She also emphasized the importance of responsible consumer habits, urging shopkeepers and residents to use cloth bags and avoid plastic or non-biodegradable packaging.

DC encouraged participants to offer constructive feedback on how the user fees should be structured, suggesting a tiered system based on the size and scale of business operations.

An open house discussion followed, where members from the Market Welfare Committees, Hoteliers Association, Homestay Owners Association, Women’s Welfare Association, Clean Tawang Task Force, and others shared their inputs and voiced their support for the initiative.

The gathering unanimously consented to the implementation of the user fee/charges, which will be notified soon and collected on a quarterly basis.

Also in attendance were Assistant Commissioner-cum-District Planning Officer Sangey Wangmu Mosobi, Executive Engineer (Urban Development) Phurpa Lamu and her team, along with heads and secretaries of four market welfare committees, and various local stakeholders and departmental heads.

The meeting marked a significant step towards building a more sustainable and community-driven waste management system in Tawang.