250 ‘safai mitras’ to keep Shimla, nearby areas clean

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 9

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched the ‘Swachh Himachal-Swasth Himachal’ by flagging off 250 ‘safai mitras’ of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, here today.

“It is our duty to maintain the beauty of the state by keeping our surroundings clean,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the state had imposed a ban on the use of polythene bags in 2009, and launched the policy to ‘buy back’ plastic from consumers to protect the Earth from non bio-degradable wastes. Till date, over 1 lakh kg plastic had been purchased under this scheme from the consumers.

1 lakh kg plastic taken under ‘buy back’ scheme

Till date, over 1 lakh kg plastic has been purchased from consumers under the ‘buy back’ scheme launched to reduce bio non-degradable waste. —Jai Ram Thakur, CM

He said the state had also banned the use of thermocol cutlery and was promoting the use of ‘pattals’ and plates made from paper. He said about 100 ‘pattal’ and ‘dona’-making machines had been provided to the poor to promote use of these articles and help them earn livelihoods.

The Chief Minister said NGOs and other voluntary organisations should also come forward to check pollution and maintain cleanliness in the state.

Thakur provided 70 plastic shredders to the urban local bodies and municipalities of the state. He said these machines would help the municipalities in scientific disposal of waste.

He also administered the oath regarding environment conservation to the people. Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said the municipalities of the state were not only ensuring door-to-door collection of garbage, but also its scientific disposal.