GHMC special campaign to achieve plastic-free city by 2022 moves at snail’s pace

Secunderabad: Although the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials have been going ahead with a special campaign to achieve the aim of plastic-free by 2022, it does not seem to be effective. This is evident from more sales of products, with the ban becoming ineffective. This is because of lack of public awareness on the need for controlling plastic. 

There is criticism that even the government is being accused of resorting to only notional efforts in achieving the lofty target. There is also a view that officials lack commitment on the need for protecting the environment by their inability to totally stop the use of covers. Critics of official inaction while speaking to The Hans India said the routine raids by the municipal staff that too only in some areas fails to have the desired effect. This being the case, the ban is yet to take effect in rural areas, where sale of plastic items continues.

There is widespread sale of wholesale material in Secunderabad because of lack of official supervision. Virtually every shop-keeper still uses covers for the sale of small items. People are found to go to shops and return with items put in covers, in the absence of a feeling that they have a role to play in protecting the environment. Some shop-keepers face a dilemma that customers may not take up purchases if covers are not available to them. This is forcing traders to oblige customers in their own interest of doing business. Besides, there has not been a decline in the use of covers of less than 40 micron thickness, which have been banned by the government. 

Lack of proper supervision of some government departments which have been entrusted with the task of checking the use of plastic items is also to be blamed for the ban not taking effect. Environmentalist point out that involving NGOs would be an effective means in taking the message more effectively to the people. 

An engineering student Rohith told THI that there has been no change in the public perception despite the government and court highlighting the threat to the environment posed by the use of plastic items. He blames GHMC officials for not taking stringent action against violators of the plastic ban, even though ‘tom-toming’ about the Swachh Bharat campaign.