To intensify Swachh Bharat Campaign, District administration Reasi today launched ‘clean up-polythene operation’ across the district.The drive was launched by District Development Commissioner, Ravinder Kumar at Agar Jitto Temple shrine, as part of Swachhta Week being observed statewide.Students, teachers, local people and government officials took part in the drive to clean the area including shrine premises, main bazaar and Local Park. They collected garbage and polythene bags to clear the area and urged upon the people to avoid use of banned plastic material.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Katra Neelam Khajuria, Assistant Commissioner Development M Y Malik, Tehsildar Katra Mohit Raina, BDOs, other officers were also present. Meanwhile, the DDC inspected shops and other business establishments and urged the traders not to use non-bio degradable material which causes pollution and other environmental hazards. During the drive banned polythene bags were also seized from the shopkeepers.Earlier, a function was also organized in High School Agar Jitto wherein guests and prominent speakers threw light on techniques to be adopted for segregating and disposing waste generated in houses and shops.
Speaking on the occasion, the DDC informed that the activities of Swachhta week will continue from May 11 to May 17 in the district with the involvement of people from all walks of life including government functionaries.The DDC asked the people to use cloth bag for carrying eatables and other things purchased from the market to spread a strong message against undue use of polythene bags. The tourists and other visitors would also be motivated for developing habits of keeping tourist places clean and hygienic, he informed.The DC said the week would witness mass sensitization against use of banned polythene, Safai Abhiyans at religious, public places and tourist sites.Assistant Commissioner Development apprised that official teams at block level headed by Block Development Officers would work vigorously to educate and motivate the local people for maintaining cleanliness and avoid use of plastic. He said the activities have been chalked out and the officers of different departments would be involved in this programme.Similar programmes were organized at Nav Deviyan, Middle school Chapanoo, tehsil head quarter Pouni, Sersundwan and at other places of the district.