Special Report: Plastic water bottles banned at govt celebrations

Udupi: The state government has passed an order banning the use and transport of single use water bottles at all government sponsored programmes and at government offices.

There was already a ban on the production, transport, sale and use of plastic carry bags, tumblers, plates, spoons, covers for dining tables and other plastic items. But it was not applicable for water bottles.

Hence there was an indiscriminate use of plastic water bottles which were irresponsibly disposed n a whim, thereby causing mush harm to the environment. Besides, only a small amount of water was actually used and most part of it was simply wasted. Also it was an expensive purchase for the state, informs the order.

Immediate implementation

Throughout the state, all government and government associated councils, company, universities and any institutions receiving aid from the government must immediately take measures to stop the use, transport of these bottles. According to the occasion, clean drinking water must be provided in glass, steel, paper and any other non-plastic containers, said K S Rohini, government undersecretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.

Water facility

The order also points out on how to provide water wherever necessary.

• 20 or plus liters capacity can must be used for providing purified drinking water.
• During conduction of meeting and celebrations, water needs to be supplied in accordance to the rules of the central government as stated on its website //gem.gov.in or purchase and install a RO equipped water purification unit from the institutions identified by the stat government and provide the water in a non-plastic container.
• All government and government aided institutions must provide purified drinking water to the public as per the directives of the central government in its website //gem.gov.in or install RO equipped water purification unit from a good institution.

Panchayat’s directed

“All the GP’s in the district have been directed to strictly follow the ban on the use of plastic. Now there will be a ban on the use of plastic water bottles as well. Marriages which will be conducted without the use of plastic bottles will be presented with a ‘Green Marriage’ certificate,” said Srinivas Rao, Chief planning officer, ZP.

“Not just the government offices and celebrations, the ban on the use of plastic water bottles and other plastic items must be strictly implemented at private celebrations too. The sale of plastic bags which has stopped once, has now once again resumed. Small shops are scared of fines. But big shops are being provided without any restrictions,” said Sumith, Reshma Shetty, ZP members.