Kurukshetra admn seizes over 84-kg single-use plastic, thermocol items

Aimed at improving sanitation conditions, the district administration launched a campaign against single-use plastic in the city.

A team, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sonu Bhatt, raided various shops in the city area late on Saturday evening and seized over 84 kg of single-use plastic and thermocol items. It also imposed fine on shopkeepers.

ADC Sonu Bhatt said: “Single-use plastic is not allowed. Regular checking will be held in city areas to ensure that single-use plastic items are not being sold and used. Efforts are being made to improve sanitation conditions in the city. Appropriate action will be taken against those violating the directions.”

SDM Kapil Sharma, executive officer of the Thanesar Municipal Council Abhe Yadav and employees of the Municipal Council accompanied the ADC during the inspection in the Subhash Mandi area and other local markets.

An official said: “The district administration has launched a special sanitation drive in Thanesar. Special focus is being laid on plastic waste. Raids are being conducted following the directions of Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh. During inspections, over 84 kg of single-use plastic and thermocol items were recovered. Shopkeepers were fined from Rs 500 to Rs 25,000, depending upon the weight of the seized stock. More such inspections will be carried out in the coming days. People are also being educated not to use single-use plastic and go for alternative products available in the market.”

Inspections are also being carried out at the International Gita Mahotsav. Notices are served to vendors for using single-use plastic items. A notice was issued to a shopkeeper at Brahma Sarovar for using disposable cups and glasses. A fine of Rs 500 was also imposed on the shopkeeper.

An official of the Municipal Council said efforts were being made to make International Gita Mahotsav plastic-free. Directions had been issued to the shopkeepers not to use single-use plastic items.

An NGO, Green Earth, is also running an awareness drive, “Single-Use Plastic Free-Clean Gita Mahotsav’ at Brahma Sarovar.

Dr Naresh Bhardwaj, executive member of the NGO, said: “Five teams have been constituted and volunteers go to each stall to make people aware of the ill-effects of the single-use plastic. They appeal them to use alternative products available in the market. The visitors reaching Brahma Sarovar for the Mahotsav are also being appealed to carry cloth bags instead of forcing the shopkeepers to give them carry bags.”