PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The Dehradun district administration has stepped up its campaign against single-use plastic, with 50 sector officers deployed to monitor all 100 wards of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. The drive is being carried out following directions of the Nainital High Court and aims to reduce the use of banned plastic items and improve cleanliness in the city.
During the campaign on Tuesday, in wards 78 and 79, covering Turner Road and Bharuwala, officials inspected 32 shops and establishments. Two shopkeepers were fined Rs 1,000 after banned plastic items were found during the inspection.
In ward four in Rajpur area, a team led by district social welfare officer Dipankar Ghildiyal and sanitation inspector Rakhi Rawat took action against 22 shopkeepers. The team seized banned plastic items and collected Rs 6,700 in fine.
Officials also warned traders not to store or sell single-use plastic. They asked them to use environment-friendly alternatives instead.
The administration said the campaign is not only about fines and penalties. Officials are also informing traders and residents about the harmful effects of plastic.
