SHIMLA: As the ban on single-use plastic comes into operation from July 1 in India, Additional Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure effective measures to eliminate Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) items from Himachal Pradesh. Chairing the meeting of the task force constituted to implement the ban, Saxena directed various departments and Deputy Commissioners to ensure effective implementation of the ban imposed on Single-Use Plastics items from 1st July, 2022.
He said that manufacturing, transport, storage, distribution, sale and use of Single-Use Plastic items such as plastic stick ear buds, plastic sticks for balloons, ice cream sticks, candy sticks, plastic flags, polystyrene (thermocol) used in decoration, cutlery, plates, cups, knives, trays, glasses, forks, straws, etc. would be prohibited with effect from 1st July, 2022.
He directed the Urban and Rural Development Departments to draft proposals for eliminating Single-Use Plastics, identify dumping sites for garbage in their respective areas under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
He directed the Himcoste to identify dumping sites and waste-related places near water sources through satellite in different districts of the state. He said that proper management of plastic waste generated in urban and rural areas should be ensured.
Additional Chief Secretary said that a special task force has been constituted at the state level under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner at the district level to take various measures to tackle the pollution caused by Single-Use Plastic products.
Director Environment, Science and Technology Lalit Jain, Director Urban Development Manmohan Sharma, Director Rural Development Rugved Thakur, Director Information and Public Relations Department Harbans Singh Brascon, Member Secretary of State Pollution Control Board Apoorv Devgan, other senior officers were present in the meeting at Shimla while Deputy Commissioners of various districts attended the meeting virtually.
