As part of the Punjab government's state-level campaign against the use of single use plastic, district administration SAS Nagar organised an awareness event in which industrialists, NGOs, political leaders, school children and general public participated. The event was organized at Kisan Vikas Chamber in which the Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Talwar administered an oath to the people present to not to use single use plastic.
Giving this information, an official spokesperson said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government today launched an awareness campaign across the state to not to use "single use plastic" and to implement the ban on it.
In his address Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Talwar said that the government has imposed a complete ban on the production, stocking and sale of 19 types of plastic products across the state from July 1, 2022. He said that although the government is issuing challans and imposing fines on the people who use "single use plastic" according to the law, but this mission will be meaningful only when people recognize their social duty and join hands with the government for this work.
He said that there is a need to create a public movement to stop the use of plastic so that people become aware and come forward to protect the environment. "We used to go to buy goods from the market, but now even though there is a ban on plastic goods by the government, we tacitly use plastic goods especially Polythene bags." he said.
He said that the 19 plastic items that have been banned are non-biodegradable and are posing a threat to our human life, vegetation and wild life. He said that the scattered polythene envelopes pollute the environment and also cause disease and death to the livestock if they get inside their stomach.
He also gave a presentation on this occasion in which he explained in detail which plastic products are banned and what sort of action is being taken by the government to implement the law. He said that in the district S.A.S. special teams have been formed which are conducting surprise checks of various places like vegetable markets, malls and shops etc. and if any person is found using these prohibited items, then legal action will be taken against the offenders.
During his presentation, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Talwar said that the 19 plastic items that have been banned include ear buds with plastic rods, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plates, Cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweets boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packaging, plastic or PVC banners below 100 microns are strictly prohibited.
He appealed to all that now the time has come that we should completely stop the use of plastic products especially polythene bags and use jute and cloth bags instead.During this event, the students of Government Girls Senior Secondary Smart School presented a song on protection of the environment while the students of Millennium School Mohali sang the song "Sare Jahan Se Achcha".
Finally, the function was concluded with the National Anthem. Xen of Pollution Control Board Mohali Mr. Gursharan Das Garg thanked all the dignitaries participating in the event through "Vote of Thanks". The Deputy Commissioner also plant saplings with other officers at the end of the function.
Mrs. Navjot Kaur Commissioner Municipal Corporation Mohali, Mrs. Amaninder Kaur Brar Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mrs. Pooja S Grewal Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development), Mr. Amardeep Singh Gujral Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Mrs. Sarabjit Kaur SDM Mohali were present at the occasion besides officials of Pollution Control Board Mohali were also present.