Administrator launches Plastic Mukt Chandigarh Campaign

Chandigarh, October 2:- Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh kick started the new revolution against Plastic and launched Plastic Mukt Chandigarh campaign today from Capitol Complex, Chandigarh in presence of Sh. Manoj Kumar Parida, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Sh. Rajesh Kumar Mayor, Sh. K.K. Yadav, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

To commemorate the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh has organized a “Shramdaan” programme during which all departments of Chandigarh Administration, NGOs of city including Yuvsatta & others, representatives of RWAs, MWAs and volunteers from colleges & schools were present.

While addressing the gathering, the Administrator said that from today every citizens of Chandigarh will have to say goodbye to single-use plastic in the city and urged them to attempt curbing its use. He said that Environment Department & Municipal Corporation must completely ban all types of single use plastic carry bags, thermocol disposable cutlery and discourage the use of artificial banners, flags, flowers, water bottles, plastic folders etc.

The Administrator asked the MC Commissioner to organize competition among sectors, villages and institutes for “Best in reducing plastic usage” tag and incentivize the winners.

The Administrator, all officers and volunteers pledged to be always committed towards cleanliness & sanitation and strive their best to keep the city and country clean at all times. Strive to protect nature and environment by avoiding single use plastic and keep fitness as part of their daily routine.

The Administrator also released booklet on “Single use plastic ban” describing plastic items banned and remain in use for multiple time. He asked the Environment department and Municipal Corporation to enforce single use plastic ban properly in city to make the city plastic free.

The Administrator honoured best workers of MCC including Sh. Kundan and Sh. Gopi Ram, sanitation workers at Public Toilets, maintained by MCC, Sh. Harjit Singh and Sh. Paramjit, sewermen, MCC & Sh. Jagpal and Sh. Vedpal, safaikarmacharis of sanitation wing, MCC.

Earlier, the Administrator flagged off the rally of volunteers, NGOs and officials of Administration & Corporation for plaguing activity in Bougainvillea garden.

Sh. Rajesh Kumar, Mayor of Chandigarh said that the Corporation has started intensive sanitation drives under phase I of the “Swachhata hi Seva” programme started on 11^th September to 1^st October, 2019 and field level drives carried out including lifting of C&D waste, garbage vulnerable points have been cleaned, pruning of trees and grass trimming in the parks and roadsides, horticulture waste removed from the city, water bodies have been cleaned and rejuvenated.

The Mayor said that public toilets in Markets have been cleaned and repaired, dustbins have been provided in market places and city parks, gaushalas/cattle ponds have been cleaned and repaired.

He further said that the separate awareness programme against the use of plastic under the theme “Plastic Mukt Chandigarh”, have been conducted including “Shramdaan” as mass movement throughout the city in all 26 wards which led by respective area councilors and in 13 villages, recently transferred to the MCC.

The Mayor said that programmes will be organized including Recycling/disposal of collected plastic waste, leading to a plastic free Diwali from 3^rd October to 27^th October, 2019.

The campaigns would be focused to ensure that all the coming festivals are zero-waste and plastic free events to make “Plastic Free City”. Each and every stakeholder of the city will be involved in this campaign and seminars would be organized in schools, colleges and other educational institutions on plastic free Chandigarh. Volunteers of NSS, NCC, Scouts & Guide would be roped in this mass campaign.

The rally of approximately 2500 volunteers from different colleges, schools and NGOs made shramdaan, started from N-choe at Bougainvillea garden. The different teams of B&R wing, Horticulture wing and sanitation wing of MCC cleaned the N-choe passing through Bougainvillea garden, leisure valley, Rose Garden towards palm garden.