Plastic a big challenge, says Devendra Fadnavis

Fadnavis stressed the need of a roadmap to tackle the plastic menace, the biggest challenge in the rapidly growing urban India. He warned that recycling plastic is of no use and an alternative needs to be worked out.

The sub-committee of chief ministers, constituted under the NITI Ayog to carry forward schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday dwelt at length on ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ the Clean India mission that Modi had launched after assuming office. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and Fadnavis along with cabinet ministers representing Delhi, Uttarakhand and Karnataka discussed the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

It may be mentioned here that the measures Maharashtra had taken to enforce a ban on plastic carry bags thinner than 50 microns has not worked. Use of plastic has increased over the years.

The comprehensive report the sub-committee will present on June 15 to the NITI Ayog will include critical issues related to economics and social sectors too. The chief ministers also discussed at length the problems and challenges that may be posed in implementing the cleanliness drive ans sustaining it.

Under the centre’s scheme, Maharashtra has taken up construction of toilets on public-private partnership on war footing. “Toilet for every household” is the theme of the scheme under way. The state government has enhanced allocation to Rs 12,000 per toilet in rural Maharashtra. However, they have to ensure that toilets consume less water, specially in regions reeling under drought.

Sharing the state’s experience, Fadnavis said, “A concrete roadmap identifying how we can make use of advanced technology in carrying ahead the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan needs to be put on paper and implemented in letter and spirit.”

“Financial crisis will be one of the issues every state may complain of and we need to counter it by making use of local conditions and requirements,” he said.

He suggested greater participation of village panchayats, gram sabhas and zilla parishads and public participation to make the cleanliness drive a success in the country.