TURA: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, who has been relentlessly pursuing the ban on water bottles towards achieving cleaner and greener environment, has called for installation of low cost RO Water Dispensers in all the strategic places of the town, particularly in the Tura Super Market and keeping of 20 litres water bottles in all the eateries instead of commonly sold half and one litres water bottles.
This decision was taken on Friday during a meeting between district officials, led by the deputy commissioner, and members of the Tura traders’ community, Development Committees and other stake holders at the DRDA Hall.
“I have been issuing advisories and directives towards this end from the last several months and shall pursue the matter with much more vigour, intensity and with seriousness to reach to its logical conclusion,” said the deputy commissioner during the meeting.
He pointed out to the gathering that plastics has permeated all aspects of our daily life; and agreed that the issue is not only a difficult proposition but sensitive as well and therefore, fight against ban will not be successful unless there is a strong will power from the people themselves against the plastic. He also asked to completely do away with use of multi layered plastic bags and suggested the local entrepreneurs to come up with cloth bags with some catchy slogans and murals on environment themes.
Another area on which the Deputy Commissioner shared his concerned was the rampant consumption of potato chips and similar junk foods made outside by the children which according to him is health hazard as the products are said to be laced with Azinamoto (Monosodium Glutamate) and with other harmful substances. He advised the people to make the habit of eating locally made chips made of bananas and jackfruits which are organic and free from all such harmful substances.
“This will not ensure better health for people particularly for children but also greatly boost the economy and encourage the local self help groups who produced these products,” said Ram Singh while adding that henceforth only locally made indigenous eatables will be served in all government functions.
On the burning issue of drinking water scarcity in certain localities, the Deputy Commissioner clarified that a new water supply system for Tura town is on the anvil and on completion of its augmentation and other technicalities, there would be considerable improvement to the supply of water.
In addition to CEO, Tura Municipal Board, Officials from the PHED, members of Tura Traders Union, Tura Market Traders Association, Presidents and Secretaries of various Development Committees of different localities attended the meet and freely interacted and offered their suggestion and cooperation towards these initiatives while lauding the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner in his fight to ban indiscriminate use of plastics.
