Retired justice Dhirendra Mishra suggested that use of plastic bags and other plastic materials should be stopped and people should be made aware of its ill effects so that they refrain from using it.

The retired justice was chairing the second state-level committee meeting at new Circuit House on implementation of Urban Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 as per the directive of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi.

He further said stern action should be taken against use of banned plastic materials.

“Public should be motivated to use the alternative bags made of cloth, jute and paper. The Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board and Urban Development Department jointly should conduct the drive and take stern action against the violators,” he added.

Justice Mishra will inspect the solid waste management works being undertaken at Bilaspur on April 18.

He was of the view that ‘Ambikapur Model’ solid waste management should be adopted in the state. The success of the women self-help groups should be emulated by holding competitions among other urban and Panchayat bodies.

He also suggested seizure and imposing of fine on construction materials dumped on public roads thus blocking the roads and choking the drains.

Such harsh action and fine will force citizens to follow the rules, he opined. 

The bio-waste (medical waste) generated from hospitals should never be mixed with general garbage but disposed off separately.

All rules should be followed and the health department should monitor it, he added.