Himachal government to buy back single-use plastic

Shimla, Sep 16 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to the draft policy to buy-back non-recyclable plastic wastes and single-use plastics at a minimum support price of Rs 75 per kg.

The plastic wastes will be purchased from the ragpickers, individuals collecting waste from households and urban local bodies, a government spokesperson told IANS.

In June last year, the state government imposed a ban on the use at official functions of thermocol plates as they are the major cause of pollution, as well of plastic water bottles of less than one-litre capacity. Since October 2, 2009, there has been a complete ban on the use of polythene bags.

The Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, also approved the draft of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2019, aimed at holistic development of tourism with special focus on ecotourism, agro-organic, snow and adventure.

It approved a capital investment subsidy for tourism projects in underdeveloped areas and grant to tourism units for access to roads and water supply.

The Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, gave its consent to include 428 gram panchayats in 10 districts under the Integrated Development Projects for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rainfed Agriculture.

This project of the Department of Economic Affairs aims to strengthen the sustainable development of natural resources in forest areas bordering agricultural land of the panchayats.

Besiedes, the Cabinet approved a proposal to procure and distribute 9,700 laptops to meritorious students of Class X and XII under the Srinivasa Ramanujan Student Digital Yojana.

It also approved the enhancement of the financial assistance being provided to World War II veterans from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 per month, and for their widows from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 from September 1.