The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday constituted an eight-member Special Task Force (STF) to curb the use of single use plastics.
Officials said the task force has been set up to address the issue of plastic pollution by strictly implementing Plastic Waste Management Rules and eliminating single use plastic in the Union Territory.
An official order said that the task force will have eight members and it will be headed by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta.
The chief secretary will “leverage funds available under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 for development of waste management infrastructure to mitigate plastic pollution in J&K.”
Besides the chief secretary the other members of the STF include chairman J&K Pollution Control Board, administrative secretaries of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj department, Housing & Urban Development Department, Industries and Commerce Department, School Education Department, Forest, Ecology & Environment Department and Higher Education Department.
An order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Tuesday reads:
“The terms of reference of the task force will be to prepare a comprehensive Action Plan for implementation of provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, and enforcement of the ban on single use plastic items.”
The order adds that the STF would organize regular meetings of State Level Monitoring Committee for purpose of monitoring of implementation of the PWM Rules, 2016, besides strengthen Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats for fulfilling responsibilities cost under PWM Rules, 2016, leverage funds available under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 for development of waste management infrastructure to mitigate plastic pollution in J&K.
“The STF should effectively strategize the implementation of SRO 231 dated 26-03-2019 for banning Single Use Plastic (SUP) in J&K, mobilize and build a strong public movement for elimination of single use plastic with wider public participation including educational institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities etc.) NCC, NSS, Scouts, Youth Clubs, Eco clubs, opinion makers and Voluntary Organizations through Urban Local Bodies,” it said.
It said that the STF should encourage and incentivize the industry involved in the manufacture of eco-friendly biodegradable substitutes for single use plastic.