Delhi pollution: Strict instructions issued to control dust, remove debris at public places
New Delhi (PTI): Strict instructions were issued for controlling dust and removing debris at public places in a high-level meeting on pollution attended by Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Lok Niwas (formerly Raj Niwas) on Thursday.
The district magistrates (DMs) are being authorised to record the ACRs (annual confidential records) of government employees found negligent, according to the chief minister.
Gupta informed that a separate review committee headed by the chief secretary has been constituted, which will review pollution-control measures on a daily basis and issue orders or advisories thereafter. Compliance with these instructions will be mandatory for all departments.
Clear instructions were issued to all concerned agencies that no negligence of any kind would be tolerated in matters related to pollution control, said a Delhi CMO statement.
All departments were also directed to work in continuous coordination so that pollution can be controlled more effectively and consistently. The meeting was also attended by Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, and senior officials of the departments concerned.
"It was made unequivocally clear that dust in the capital must be controlled under all circumstances. Multi-level efforts are already underway for this. The meeting also highlighted that waste and debris are major contributors to pollution," the statement said.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials were directed to ensure that vacant land under their ownership in various parts of the capital is completely cleared of waste and debris.
The officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were also instructed to prevent repeated dumping on such sites and conduct an intensive cleanliness drive across Delhi, along with using additional measures to tackle dust.
Chief Minister Gupta said that negligence by any department or official regarding pollution control would not be tolerated.
The DMs have been instructed to personally inspect the cleanliness and pollution control measures being undertaken in their respective areas.
The chief minister emphasised that the government's goal is to find a permanent solution to pollution, so that people do not suffer now or in the future.
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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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