Deputy Commissioner Sushma Chauhan today chaired a meeting regarding holding of mass awareness programs on plastic waste management in the district under the second phase of “Swachhta Hi Seva” campaign,here today. Senior Superintendent of Police, Tajinder Singh, Secretary Jammu Municipal Corporation, Sub District Magistrates, Assistant Commissioner Development, District Panchayat Officer, Block Development Officers, Enforcement officers, senior officers from Social Welfare, PDD, Public Works, Flood& Irrigation, Industries and Commerce, Information, Agriculture, National Rural Livelihood Mission, ICDS, representatives from National Highway Authorities, Jammu University besides other concerned officers attended the meeting.The meeting emphasized on collection of plastic waste through Shramdaan and cleanliness drives. The Deputy Commissioner asked concerned departments and JMC to intensify the campaign to make district plastic-free.She informed that with the objective to ensure effective and successful conduct of the campaign in the district, teams of officers from JMC, Police, RDD and Revenue department have been constituted and assigned responsibilities to make anti-plastic campaign successful.
She asked the concerned to educate traders on not selling items in plastic bags and Collect polythene bags and other single use plastic items through Shramdaan from shopkeepers and vendors.She stressed upon the officers to think of technologies to abolish plastic use and encourage the people to use jute and cloth bags only.She also stressed on cleanliness drives and asked to make all out efforts to encourage the people to rid homes, offices and workplaces of single-use plastic by 2nd October, 2019. It was informed that the JMC has constituted different teams for collection of plastic wastes, which would dispose/recycle the plastic for further use. The significant amount of this plastic waste will be recycled and reused. Some of the waste collected will be put to use through various technologies for road construction and other resources.The DC instructed the BDOs to involve the Sarpanchs and Panchs of the respective Gram Panchayats for sanitation campaign. She also asked them to ensure adequate participation of women folk and Self Help Groups in the waste management campaign. She urged officers to work with missionary zeal and commitment for enlightening the masses about the benefits of hygiene and sanitation in practical terms. Meanwhile, the officers present in the meeting also put forth their suggestions and ideas about collection and waste management techniques.