Gilgit (Ibex report): Addressing a meeting held on Monday regarding plastic free Gilgit campaign, deputy commissioner (DC) Gilgit Osama Majeed Cheema directed the Assistant Commissioners (ACs) to ensure the prevention of plastic use in their sub-divisions.
During the meeting, DC Gilgit gave orders ACs to speed up raids to check whether administrative directions are obeyed and take legal action in case of any violation.
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Majeed Cheema said all resources will be used to Gilgit city plastic free zone. A ban has been imposed on use of polythene bags and to ensure compliance the administration will expedite the raids.
DC Gilgit instructed the ACs of the three sub-divisions to form teams to take action against use of plastic bags. Use these team to raid the markets on daily basis, asked the DC. In case of any violation, confiscate the plastic stock and impose heavy fine.
Briefing the participants on this occasion, Deputy Director Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (G-B EPA) said that traders had filed a case in the court against the ban on plastic bags. However, the court has dismissed from the court. Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Support Program has given three types of loans to help shopkeepers buy eco-friendly cloth bags.
DC Gilgit issued further instructions to the deputy director G-B EPA and the ACs to ensure the supply of cloth bags in the markets as soon as possible. To make this campaign successful, conduct a plastic free campaign in all districts of Gilgit to create awareness among the public.
He said that the Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to use cloth bags to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases like cancer, etc. A meeting will also be held with individuals and the measures taken so far regarding cloth bags will also be reviewed.
The participants of the meeting included deputy director EPA, Assistant Commissioner Danyur, Assistant Commissioner Jaglot, Acting Assistant Commissioner Gilgit and other officers.
