CM launches digital refund scheme on recycling of plastic waste
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 28 Aug: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the plastic waste management digital deposit refund system operated by the Pollution Control Board at a function held at the Secretariat here today.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister himself received digital payment by scanning a plastic bottle bar code.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, CM Dhami noted that the launch of the Digital Deposit Refund System is an important step to protect the environment and reduce plastic consumption, recycling as much plastic as possible. He said that work should be done in coordination to implement the Digital Deposit Refund System. He asserted that this initiative would prove to be helpful in creating an environment of cleanliness by reducing the garbage on the Char Dham Yatra route and other tourist places.
Dhami observed that the problem of plastic waste has become a challenge for the entire world. Plastic wate particularly poses huge problem at religious and tourist places in the state. He claimed that the state government is taking concrete steps to solve this problem. He added that while creating an environment of cleanliness in the state, the government is focusing on Clean Uttarakhand, Green Uttarakhand. The natural wealth of the state is an integral part of the lives of all and therefore it is also the collective responsibility to keep it safe.
The CM reminded that the Digital Deposit Refund System was brought to Uttarakhand as a pilot project 2 years ago. For its successful operation, Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand was also felicitated with the Digital India Award 2022. Dhami noted that rivers, forests and mountains are the heritage and identity of the state. However, plastic is endangering this heritage. For the disposal of plastic, the state government is using science and modern technology. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was started in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It brought a new revolution in the field of cleanliness in India. Under the Namami Gange scheme, many works are being done for the cleanliness of the Ganga.
On this occasion, it was claimed that through the Digital Deposit Refund System, the collection of plastic waste in the hill areas will become easier. Under DDRS, a ‘QR code system’ will be generated by the units producing plastic bottles and other plastic materials, so that after the consumers use the products stored in plastic packaging, the plastic waste will be returned to the nearest DDRS centre and, after scanning the bar code, the consumer will be refunded a certain amount for each plastic waste. With the implementation of the digital deposit refund system, plastic waste can be brought back into the circular economy, which will ensure conservation of resources.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj, Vice Chairman, Infrastructure Monitoring Committee Vishwas Dawar, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, PCCF Dr Dhananjay Mohan, Special Secretary and Member Secretary, Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board Dr Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Additional Secretaries Jugal Kishore Pant, Alok Kumar Pandey, and all District Magistrates were present at the meeting in virtual mode.
