Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Dec 2: In a notification released by the state government, the supply and use of one-time use plastic bottles of drinking water is banned in all the government sponsored meetings, functions and government offices.

Though the government had banned the manufacture, sale, stock and use of plastic carry bags, plates, tumblers, spoons and dining table mats long time ago, it was not applicable to plastic bottles of drinking water. The notification also says that plastic bottles are thrown everywhere causing environment pollution. In addition, only a little amount of water is being used from the bottles and most of it is wasted. The state exchequer is losing a hefty amount on the purchase of these plastic bottles of drinking water.

This rule will come into effect immediately as per the order taken out by K S Rohini, undersecretary of the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR). The government order says "With immediate effect, action should be taken to prohibit the use of plastic bottled drinking water in government and government owned corporations, boards, universities and any institution that gets grant from the government. Drinking water should be supplied, according to the need of the occasion, in glass, steel, paper and other tumblers which are not made of plastic."

Arrangement of drinking water in functions

The notification also gives clarification regarding the distribution of drinking water in government organizations

*Purified drinking water should be kept in cans of 20 or more litres of capacity*In the halls where the meetings or programmes take place, RO (Reverse Osmosis) and water purifying units should be installed. This units needs to be purchased from the government recognised companies or from the companies mentioned on the central government website http://gem.gov.in and tumblers sans plastic should be kept near these units.

*Public should be provided with clean drinking water at all government and government aided offices. For this to materialize, good RO water purification units need to be installed, that are supplied by companies approved by the government.

Guidelines for panchayats

"All gram panchayats in the district are instructed to implement the prohibition of plastic strictly. Now the prohibition on use of plastic water bottles also will be implemented. We are also giving 'Green Marriage' proof certificate for marriages in which the plastic is not used," says Srinivas Rao, chief planning officer, zilla panchayat, Udupi.

Sumit and Reshma Shetty, members of zilla panchayat said, "The prohibition of use of plastic goods should not be limited to government offices and functions. It should be extended to private functions also. The sale of plastic bags which was banned earlier has started once again. Small shop owners are scared of fine but large shops are giving these bags without any inquiry."