SDMC imposes fine on Bhandara organiser over thermo plastic usage

In a first of it's kind South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has imposed a fine of rupees 50,000 on the organiser of Bhandara under section 15 of NGT for using thermo plastic material and under section 317 and 351 for loitering the place in Chirag Delhi area of South Delhi. As per the reports the field staff of SDMC found that the organisers of Bhandara did not take proper measures to collect and dispose off the used plates. Officials also found that the place was littered everywhere.

SDMC Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said that "From 2nd October we will begin a massive drive and start challaning people on mass level if they don't abide by law. As far as this case is concerned the violator didn't even put dustbin to dispose off the used plates, plates were thrown on the roads and the area was completely loitered. He has been challned for not making proper arrangements and usage of thermo plastic plates and now MCD court will decide further on this. As of now our awareness campaign is going on in which we are making people aware about disadvantages of single use plastic through posters, banners and placards in Schools, market places and public places. We are very serious about this campaign because at the end of the day it will benefit common man only"

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As per the instructions under "Swachta hi Sewa hai" campaign given to SDMC officials it is stated that field officials need to be vigilant enough and take appropriate actions against the violators according to the law. During the swachhta hi campaign, SDMC is regularly making all efforts to educate, aware and sensitise the general public about the harmful effects of single use plastic which is not only detrimental to environment but also harmful to the health of users.

While speaking to Republic TV the organiser of Bhandara said "I have been challaned of Rupees 50,000 by SDMC for organizing Langar. SDMC officials said I used thermo plastic plates in Langar that's why they have challaned me. Nobody from SDMC informed me earlier about the non usage of plastic plates in Bhandara. We organise Bhandara twice every years during Navrartri"

On 11 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched Swachhata Hi Seva campaign for massive countrywide awareness and mobilization campaign on cleanliness at Mathura with special focus on plastic waste awareness and management. It is being organized from 11th September to October 2nd.

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