Varanasi: In a bid to discourage the use of plastic bags and bottles and ensure proper disposal of plastic, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation has asked customers, especially in the ghats along the banks of river Ganga and their surrounding areas, to ask for plastic bags. But the shopkeepers have implemented the rule of asking for security money. Or bottles to carry purchased items.
In an order issued on June 30, Municipal Commissioner Sipu Giri said, “According to this rule, traders will have to demand Rs 50 as security money from the customers for giving any goods in plastic bags or bottles. The money will be refunded if the used bags and bottles are returned for proper disposal.” Giri warned traders to be ready to face the music in case they sell goods in plastic packs and bottles without depositing security amount.
Giri made it clear that the decision has been taken to discourage the use of plastic in view of the adverse impact of plastic on river water, soil and environment. He also asked the traders to keep separate dustbins for dry and wet waste and dispose of the waste accordingly.
Meanwhile, Mayor… Ashok Tiwari Also called a meeting with Giri and other VMC officials to finalize the strategy for placing Kashi Vishwanath Dham free from plastic. “No trader or vendor, even flower seller, will be allowed to sell any item in plastic bags to the pilgrims and other customers,” Tiwari said. He asked the officials to declare the area between Godaulia and Maidagin and KV Dham and its surrounding areas as plastic free. He also asked the Integrated Control and Command Center to monitor these areas through CCTV network for strict compliance of this order.
Tiwari also asked the officials to ensure that no temporary shops are set up on the roads anywhere between Godaulia and Maidagin and no vehicle is parked on the road. Apart from ensuring proper cleanliness, the VMC will also ensure that the Kanwariyas or the pilgrims do not face any problem while going to or coming from Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
He also asked for proper sanitization of the routes leading to the main temples of the deity. Shiva In which Pachkroshi Road is also included during the month of Shravan. He also asked the officers to take cooperation of the traders associations in all these exercises.
In an order issued on June 30, Municipal Commissioner Sipu Giri said, “According to this rule, traders will have to demand Rs 50 as security money from the customers for giving any goods in plastic bags or bottles. The money will be refunded if the used bags and bottles are returned for proper disposal.” Giri warned traders to be ready to face the music in case they sell goods in plastic packs and bottles without depositing security amount.
Giri made it clear that the decision has been taken to discourage the use of plastic in view of the adverse impact of plastic on river water, soil and environment. He also asked the traders to keep separate dustbins for dry and wet waste and dispose of the waste accordingly.
Meanwhile, Mayor… Ashok Tiwari Also called a meeting with Giri and other VMC officials to finalize the strategy for placing Kashi Vishwanath Dham free from plastic. “No trader or vendor, even flower seller, will be allowed to sell any item in plastic bags to the pilgrims and other customers,” Tiwari said. He asked the officials to declare the area between Godaulia and Maidagin and KV Dham and its surrounding areas as plastic free. He also asked the Integrated Control and Command Center to monitor these areas through CCTV network for strict compliance of this order.
Tiwari also asked the officials to ensure that no temporary shops are set up on the roads anywhere between Godaulia and Maidagin and no vehicle is parked on the road. Apart from ensuring proper cleanliness, the VMC will also ensure that the Kanwariyas or the pilgrims do not face any problem while going to or coming from Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
He also asked for proper sanitization of the routes leading to the main temples of the deity. Shiva In which Pachkroshi Road is also included during the month of Shravan. He also asked the officers to take cooperation of the traders associations in all these exercises.