Muhammad Mukaram
Srinagar,Oct 10: The use of banned polythene, continues unabated in the valley highlighting the helplessness of the state administration.
Shopkeepers, street vendors right outside Srinagar High Court complex and J&K state Assembly use polythene bags. Very few people use alternatives. "The use of polythene is widespread across small and larger markets. The government has failed to provide an alternative properly," a consumer Waseem Ahmed says.
These polythene bags can also be seen flowing in the River Jhelum, polluting it and also float in Dal Lake, in which the state and authorities especially the department of tourism takes pride.
It has been more than five years since the state authorities cracked down upon heavily on polythene and launched a campaign to free the state from the non-biodegradable product. Its presence, however, in the markets has limped back to normal from past year now.
Meanwhile, the state police and excise department claimed that they have seized tones of polythene consignments since its ban. In 2015, more than 1000 kg polythene has been already seized by the state administration, but has failed to completely impose the ban on the ground.
"The administration speaks a lot about the awareness and punishment but the fact is that they have not been able to ban polythene even after so many years," a local of Lal Chowk Furqan says adding that the commercial hub is extremely polluted with polythene bags lying on the roads. "One should visit this locality during evening hours and see how much polythene lies waste on the road," he adds.
A High Court order in the year 2006 put a ban on the use of polythene in the valley. As per SRO-182 issued by the state government on June 18, 2008, polythene bags are banned in the state in the light of Jammu & Kashmir Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007.
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq on Tuesday stressed for prompt disposal of waste and elimination of polythene from the daily life.
Earlier, on Septmeber 30, the government empowered Block Development Officers (BDO) and Panchayat officers to seize the Polythene and impose fine.
The Minister said that his ministry will not allow use of polythene in the state. "Government has now empowered BDOs also to seize the polythene. So they should exercise this power," he added.
However, the state government has failed to continue the Swachh Bharat campaign in the valley, "waste management is non existing in the state, it is far short to talk about the present polythene ban in the valley. While as the accumulated from so long is still active in our soil damaging the ecosystem every second," environmental expert said.
Notably, Minister for Rural Development earlier said the cleanliness drives should not be just a formality but should be done on routine basis to ensure hygienic environment which guarantees a healthy life.
Despite the Minister's directive to seize Polythene in the respective areas the use of polythene remains rampant in and around Srinagar city, right under the nose of civil administration. |
