Udupi: The eradication of plastic use should start from the government offices itself, said Zilla Panchayat president Dinakar Babu.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Plastic Waste-Free Movement (Jatha) under the ‘Srutta Hee Seva’ programme held at the Zilla Panchayat premises on Thursday, September 19.
“All government departments should regulate the use of plastic during their programmes by cutting down on plastic bouquets. The Jatha programme would be held in 30 villages for 15 days at the village level to raise awareness about cleanliness and the disadvantage of the use of plastic,” he said.
G Jagadeesh, district Deputy Commissioner, who released the Cleanup Movement Pamphlet, said, “This is the first time that Karnataka has taken the decision to ban plastic, yet we are failing to adequately implement plastic-use regulations.”
“Although there is a penalty in place, it is not properly implemented. Officials must follow the government’s orders properly,” he said. He also gave a one-month deadline for the implementation of the ban, warning that strict action would be taken against those who do not comply.
ZP vice president Sheela K Shetty said that everyone should vow not to use plastic. She added that those who do not adequately manage plastic waste must be dealt with. “All Gram Panchayats should take great care of this and make Udupi a plastic-free district,” she said.
The event was followed by a street performance by the artists of the Ganeshpura Siddhi Vinayaka Yakshagana Board to raise awareness on cleanliness.
Chief Project Officer Srinivas Rao welcomed the gathering and a vote of thanks.
District Panchayat Education and Health Standing Committee President Babu Shetty, Social Justice Committee President Shashikant Padubidri, ZP Member Reshma Uday Shetty and Chief Executive Officer Preity Gehlot were present.
