The News Freedom
Chandigarh, November 7
Punjab Local Government Minister, Balkar Singh, on Tuesday said that the Punjab government is committed to celebrating a garbage and pollution free and safe Diwali in the state. The government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to making the state pollution free, he added.
During the meeting conducted through video conferencing with all municipal commissioners at the Municipal Bhawan, Balkar Singh directed the municipal corporation officials to give special priority to cleanliness in their respective cities to celebrate ‘Swachh Diwali and Shubh Diwali’ and to support the government’s efforts.
Cabinet Minister directed the officials to ensure a clean, environment-friendly, and garbage-free Diwali. He also stated that single-use plastic items should not be used in their respective cities during the Diwali festival. Market associations, trade associations, resident welfare associations, and ward committees should be sensitized, and self-help groups, NGOs, youth clubs, and civic groups should be involved in this campaign.
Balkar Singh said that awareness should be created among the people to use local products and alternatives to single-use plastic on the occasion of Diwali. He directed the officials to provide face masks, eye protection glasses, and local products to celebrate Diwali while taking special care of Safai Mitras. He also said that RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centers should be made operational quickly. He appealed to the citizens of the state to show their commitment to celebrating a clean Diwali through mygov.app. He encouraged citizens to take an oath to celebrate a clean Diwali and make necessary arrangements to deal with any untoward incident in the cities on the occasion of Diwali.