KATHMANDU: Millions of rupees provided for the development of the people living in the vicinity of the Sisdole landfill site in Nuwakot district is being misused. And the locals have persistently been using obstruction of garbage disposal as a bargaining tool with the government.

According to the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre, under the Ministry of Local Development, at least Rs 12.5 million is distributed to the areas affected by the landfill site through dozens of users’ committees. Besides, the government also plans other annual programmes for the area.

Local residents have disrupted garbage 58 times since the operation of the landfill site in 2005. “It’s a weakness on the part of the government to distribute budget to the users’ committees, instead of implementing programmes by itself,” said Laxman Ghimire of Okharpauwa-5, who is leading the present indefinite obstruction of garbage since Tuesday.

Every group creating a barrier in garbage disposal is provided with a portion of the demanded amount of money, said Ghimire. “Local groups have been used to getting money from the government by obstructing trash dumping. Our demand, however, is not in monetary terms - we want development projects carried out directly by the government,” he said.

Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager, SWMRMC, said other groups of locals were against inviting bids for the projects -- they want the budget allocated through the users’ committees. “We know the budget has been misused but are obliged not to take any action against,” she said.

Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Management Department at Kathmandu Metropolitan City, said an additional Rs 8.4 million was distributed this year through the users’ committees. “The government should adopt an effective system of handling development activities in the area by forming a special committee,” he said.

Ghimire accused the government of failing to enforce the law and implement budget effectively. He said no achievement had been made with regard to development of the area in half-a-decade.