Plastic ban in Odisha starting Oct 2
Bhubaneswar, July 10: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced a ban on the use of plastic in the state from October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
In the first phase, plastic will be banned in six places -- the pilgrim city of Puri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela.
Plastic bags, polyethylenes and single-use plastic material would be completely banned across the state in the next two years, said Patnaik at an environment awareness programme under the "Ama Mukhyamantri Ama Katha" here.
While the Housing and Urban Development Department have been entrusted with the task of enforcing it in urban areas, it will be the responsibility of the Panchayati Raj (PR) Department in rural areas.
Forest and Environment Department will monitor the controlling of plastic pollution in the entire state.
The Chief Minister also said everyone must plant a sapling during the ongoing rainy season and take care of it.
"If we all plant a tree each and take care of it, the environment will be protected and human beings will live in good condition. We must all work for the development of our family and society," he added.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
