Vinod’s night raids and penalties impress residents
By ZAHID H JAVALI
HSR residents are a happy lot, thanks to the proactive work of health inspector Vinod Govindappa Maya. The 29-year-old joined the HSR ward in September 2016 and has an envious track record. With four recognitions from residents under his belt and two in Whitefield, one of his earlier postings, Vinod is what every government official should be. A corporation official for the last ten years, he rose from a junior health inspector to senior and has several HSR residents swearing by him. Says civic activist Shanthi Tummala: “He’s the best health inspector I have come across in Bangalore.”
Vinod, holding a masters in biochemistry, worked as a health inspector in Kadugodi, Whitefield and Varthur before coming to HSR Layout. He was declared the best government employee for two years in succession by Whitefield Rising for his efforts in garbage segregation and plastic ban implementation. Last year, he was even nominated for the ‘Namma Bengaluru’ award in the ‘best government employee’ category. HSR is no exception. The resident welfare associations of Sector 1, 4 and 7 recognised him for his efforts and so did Kaagaz Foundation, an NGO in HSR.
Ever since he joined, he has fined shopkeepers using plastic and people not segregating to the tune of Rs 17.8 lakh. “When I came, garbage segregation was around 70-80%. Now, it’s 95% and I hope to make it 100% by the end of this year,” says a confident Vinod.
Dengue control was also achieved through his efforts. “In 2016, there were 270 cases of dengue in HSR but in 2017, it came down to 80,” he says. The reason: Garbage segregation and spreading awareness about dengue among slum and apartment dwellers. “In Agara slums, we asked people to close the lids of their sumps. We also educated apartment residents using air coolers and air conditioners to clear stagnant water collecting underneath them.”
Night patrolling has brought down unauthorised garbage dumping near Ellukunte government school, 9th main near Tumkur Granite Bank and the lorry point near Freedom International School.
Commercial waste was another area of concern that has been streamlined now. “Earlier, shops and establishments would just give their garbage to unverified vendors. We followed them to see where they were dumping the waste. Finally, we requested all commercial establishments to only use three vendors that are sending the garbage where it should go… Hasiru Dala, Sunil Reddy and Citizen Gauge.”
Sums up resident Chitra Praneeth: “Vinod is very prompt in his action and very dedicated with his work.”
When Vinod isn’t working, he’s cycling at night, playing badminton or watching Kannada and Telugu movies. You can reach him at 98446-29911.
