Govt forms Divisional, District, ULB Level Plastic Waste Management Cells

Srinagar, Oct 11: Government on Monday constituted Divisional, District and ULB Level Plastic Waste Management Cells and District Level Task Force for elimination of Single Use Plastic (SUP).
The Divisional level committee for Jammu and Kashmir respectively comprises of Divisional Commissioner concerned as Chairman, Commissioner JMC/SMC, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/Srinagar, Director, Rural Development Department, Jammu/Kashmir and Director, Rural Sanitation, J&K besides any other member(s) to be co-opted by the Cell Member (s).
The District level cell comprises of Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner
General Manager, District Industries Centre, Assistant Commissioner Development, District Panchayat Officer, Respective CEO(s) of ULB(s), District Officer, J&K Pollution Control Committee and any other member(s) to be co-opted by the Cell.
The ULB Level Plastic Waste Management Cell comprises of Chief Executive Officer/Executive Officer of the respective ULB, Sanitary Inspector, representative of PW(R&B) Department not below the rank of AEE and District Officer, J&K Pollution Control Committee.
Their terms of reference include effective implement the Action Plan on elimination of single use plastics and the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the Jammu & Kashmir as well as to comply with and implement the decisions taken from time to time by the Special Task Force constituted for the purpose.
The District Level Special Task Force is headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner and its members include General Manager, District Industries Centre, Chief Executive Officer / Executive Officer of Municipal Councils /Committees falling within the jurisdiction of respective district, District Panchayat Officer, District Officer, J&K Pollution Control Committee and any other member(s) to be co-opted by the Special Task Force.
Its terms of reference include monitoring of implementation of the J&K level Comprehensive Action Plan for elimination of Single Use Plastic in the District, according to an order.
The government has also tasked special task force to mobilize and build strong public movement for elimination of Single Use Plastic by ensuring wider public participation, including educational institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities, etc), NCC, NSS, Scouts, Youth Clubs, Eco Clubs, Opinion Makers and Voluntary Organizations.
Besides it is to encourage and promote manufacture and usage of Eco-friendly biodegradable substitutes for Single Use Plastic and enforce the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (read with amendments notified in the year 2021).