SUMIT BHARGAV
RAJOURI
District administration Rajouri has prepared itself to make ‘Polythene Free Rajouri’ with stern steps to check usage of polythene in the district to be taken from 10th of May with Municipal Committees also to follow ‘Polluter Pays’ Principle and sweepers will not lift waste material containing polythene.
Office of the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri has issued an order in this respect in which it has been mentioned that as per the State Pollution Control Board Communication vide No SPCB/LSJ/300/2017/14-84 Dated 23-12-2017, Deputy Commissioners have to supervise the enforcement of polythene bag and district officers of SPCB are appointed as Nodal Officers for the purpose.
Order also mentions that there has been rampant use of polythene in various areas of District Rajouri and Municipal Committees are also facing difficulty in disposal of polythene based waste material besides threats of serious environmental hazards looming large.
It has also been mentioned that meetings with traders of the district were convened in June-July 2017 and trade bodies expressed unanimity in implementation of ban and sought cooperation from district administration for alternatives as well as providing time for shifting to alternatives and district task force subsequently sanctioned many cases for installation of bio-degredable carry bags producing units which have been established with the assistance of KVIB.
Meanwhile, with aim of phasing out of polythene, it has been ordered that use of banned polythene prevailing in the district shall be phased out from 10th of May and vehicles carrying polythene and shops or establishments using polythene shall be seized without any further notice while inspection of each market in the district will be conducted after 10th May for declaring market as polythene free.
District Office of KVIB has also been directed to continue endeavors to provide alternatives to polythene bags through self employment scheme’s whereas all the Tehsildars have been directed to immediately hold meetings with Beopar Mandals to make traders aware about ensuing inspection and stringent legal action to be initiated.
Through this order, district administration has taken a major step under which Municipal Committees will adopt ‘Polluter Pays’Principle and sweepers will stop lifting the polythene based waste material from markets and residential areas from 10th May 2018 onwards.
District administration has also decided to take concerted effort to immediately declare Rajouri town as polythene free in first go followed by other towns and rural areas.
District administration has also directed district police and traffic police for thorough inspection of vehicles carrying polythene bags and to seize all such vehicles which shall not be released except for the orders of competent courts.
Pertinent here to mention that the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in OWP No 159/2002 has been pleased to order ban on use of polythene in territorial jurisdiction of J&K state and directed for seizure of vehicles carrying polythene and sealing premises of shops involved in sale of polythene or polythene carry bags.
Meanwhile a committee will look into possibility of use of seize polythene and plastic in construction of roads for which shredders and other equipment will be procured for processing of plastic.
District Administration has appealed the general public to cooperate in phasing-out banned polythene which is being used illegally.
