Sheeba Haji
Bandipora, Aug 28: Despite a recent ban on single-use plastic (SUP) items inside the Mini Secretariat Bandipora, plastic water bottles were served by the organisers to participants during an Aadi Karamayogi Abhiyaan workshop on Monday, violating the orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
Last Week, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kawal Chib, had ordered a complete ban on SUP items in the Mini Secretariat citing health and environmental concerns.
The directive instructed government offices to adopt alternatives like steel and other eco-friendly bottles, while also mandating strict checks at entry gates. Security personnel and the sanitation wing of the Municipal Council were tasked with seizing plastic bottles and polythene bags brought in by employees and visitors.
Officials and employees confirmed that the ban was implemented rigorously, with hundreds of bottles and bags confiscated daily from the visitors and the employees. However, the order was openly flouted by the Department of ICDS during Thursday’s workshop organised on the Vision Plan for Tribal Villages under Aadi Karamayogi Abhiyaan. Plastic bottles were distributed in the presence of Programme Officer ICDS and Chief Planning Officer Bandipora.
The violation has sparked concern among staff and participants. “Such incidents dilute the credibility of official directions and send the wrong message when the administration is promoting environmentally responsible practices and confiscating the same bottles on gate from the visitors,” said one attendee.
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