Srinagar, Jan 7: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has found a novel method to get rid of the polythene menace in the summer Capital.  The civic body looks ahead for assistance from informers aka
Khabris in lieu of a “suitable reward” to get the banned lot recovered.
 “Any citizen who assists the SMC in recovery of polythene carry bags shall be suitably rewarded by the corporation and his/her identity shall be kept secret,” SMC Commissioner Sheikh Mushtaq said in a public notification circulated Friday, for publication.
 “The Well Wishers can contact us at 9419187742,” it added.
 The Commissioner warned the concerned to stop the sale of polythene forthwith.
 “All the food manufacturing units, food establishments, shopkeepers and goods carrier agencies are hereby advised to stop the practise of selling food products in polythene carry bags,” reads the notice.
 “Let us pledge to make Srinagar polythene free City/Zero Polythene Zone(ZPZ),” the Commissioner added.
 “Under the prevention of Food Adulteration Act 11954 and the rules made there under,” he said “selling of food stuffs in recycled polythene carry bags is violation of Rule 50  of PFA Rules and entails action for cancellation of license by the prescribed authority.”
 Giving details about the plan of luring informers, the SMC Health Officer, Dr Reyaz Ahmed said: “Such concerned citizens will be given a suitable reward in cash or kind depending on the quantity of catch their assistance leads to.”
 “Basically, we want to know about the source of these polythene bags as to where from they come to the City and who all are involved in their distribution in the markets,” the official said.
 The Health Officer, however, insisted that people giving such information shouldn’t be called “Informers or Khabries”.
 “Lets not snub there expected contribution through such names which could prove detrimental under the prevalent circumstances in Kashmir. We’ll them Well Wishers or Eco-Friendly Citizens,” he insisted.
 Pertinently, following a sustained anti-polythene campaign for its ill effects on the environment, two years ago the government under SRO 122 of 2009 dated 11-5-2009 imposed a blanket ban on the use of polythene bags.
 But two years on, the polythene is again in use while apart from others, the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand himself expressed serious concern over the resurfacing of polythene in Srinagar. Tara had directed the concerned to wake up and get rid of the menace.
 Since then, the State Pollution Control Board and the civic body seem to have intensified their efforts to put a check.
 The SMC Health Officer says 50 quintals of polythene and a fine of over RS one lakh have been slapped on the offenders in the past three months.
  “We need public cooperation to get rid of the menace so rewarding them is a must because otherwise why will anybody help us?” he argued.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST