Telangana CM KCR announces proposed ban on single-use plastic in the state

The CM noted that a cabinet meeting on the matter would be held soon, and directed concerned officials to prepare a plan on how to enforce the ban.

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The Telangana government has announced a proposed ban on single-use plastic in the state. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao made the decision as part of the 'Palle Pragathi' (Rural Development) meeting, which was held on Thursday at Pragathi Bhavan, the CM’s official residence.

The CM noted that a cabinet meeting on the matter would be held soon, and directed concerned officials to prepare a plan on how to enforce the ban.

The decision to ban the sale of single-use plastic in Telangana comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign against plastic use. On October 2, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the Centre would ban single-use plastic by 2022 in a phased manner across the country.

Meanwhile, Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao welcomed the decision on Twitter and sought the help of environment concerned citizens on how to effectively implement the ban.

Hon’ble CM decided that single use plastic will be banned in Telangana. Next cabinet will resolve to implement across all municipalities and villages



I invite suggestions for effective implementation from environmentally conscious citizens https://t.co/Cfpmsp6Oum — KTR (@KTRTRS) October 10, 2019

Under the 30-day Palle Pragathi programme, the government aims at encouraging rural development, while improving greenery and cleanliness in villages. On Thursday, the CM held a meeting with ministers, district collectors and other district administrators, and commended the efforts of these officials in successfully carrying out the programme.

The CM has declared that the state government would release Rs 339 crore to the Gram Panchayats for the development of villages. He also noted that they would fill the open rural administration posts soon.

Lauding the efforts of the electricity department in ensuring power connections to all villages, the CM directed the department to provide a three-phase power supply to tribal villages. Further, he appointed a three-member committee to resolve the power crisis of Scheduled Tribes villages, which are often neglected.