DK set on implimenting draft cleanliness policy 2017

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 05, 2017: The zilla panchayat members unanimously decided to implement the Draft Cleanliness Policy 2017. Special thrust will be laid on effectively implementing ban on plastic products in all the 230 GPs in Dakshina Kannada.

 

The decision was taken at a special zilla panchayat meeting convened to discuss on the implementation on ban on plastic products in all the gram panchayats under the chairmanship of Meenakshi Shanthigodu here on Tuesday April 4.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi said that by incorporating the suggestions of all zilla panchayat members, the draft policy will be implemented during the year.

Total sanitation officer Manjula said that with Gazette notification on March 11, 2016, the state government has banned the sale and use of plastic products. The products include carry bags, banners, buntings, flex, flags, plates, clips, spoons, cling films and plastic sheets that are used on dining tables. The notification empowers officials of the Revenue department, Urban Local Bodies, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, departments of Commercial Tax, Food and Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology, ZP CEO, GP Panchayat Developement Officer to book cases against violators under Section 19 of the Environment Protection Act (1986).

She said that to implement ban on plastic, it has been decided to constitute a sub-committee at the ward level in each gram panchayat and the members of the committee will be given 10 houses in the ward to create awareness on segregation of waste at the source and collection of plastic carry bags to be handed over to the competent authority. Similarly, a committee at the taluk level and district level will also be constituted. As per the draft plan, the plastic from households will be collected at the ward level which would be shifted to the shed earmarked by the gram panchayat. Later, it will be taken by the recycling agency for recycling the products.

ZP members Dharanendra Kumar and Sucharitha Shetty said that there is a need to initiate action against those who dump garbage beside the roads. CCTV cameras should be installed at selected locations to punish those who dump garbage beside the road indiscriminately. All the 36 ZP members should ensure that they do not allow their followers or residents to install flex in their constituency.

Member Harish Kanjipili said that all the Urban Local Bodies should implement the ban on plastic effectively for the success in the district.

ZP member Shahul Hameed said there is a need to create awareness on the ban on plastic among schoolchildren. In addition, the zilla panchayat members should take at least one gram panchayat as a pilot and implement the ban effectively.

Citing an example, member Asha Thimmappa Gowda said that Devachalla, Perabe and Balpa GPs in Guthigar ZP constituency have started collecting plastic products in schools and anganwadi centres to be collected to the respective GPfor disposal.