Haryana

• 20 Jul 2023

Plastic Waste Processing Machines to be installed in 143 Blocks of the state

Why in News?

On July 17, 2023, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal chaired the third meeting of the Special Task Force to review the implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules and ban on Single-Use Plastic Items in Chandigarh.

Key Points:

• These include plastic shredders, belling machines and dust removal machines, which will be installed at a cost of around Rs 16 lakh per unit. These units will facilitate recycling and also reduce the amount of plastic waste.
• This far-reaching initiative aims to tackle the twin challenges of plastic waste pollution and the need for better road infrastructure.
• It was informed in the meeting that from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, 17,407 challans were issued under the action plan to ban single-use plastic items. They were fined Rs 1,46,62,750 after 15,045 kg of single-use plastic was seized across the state.
• The Chief Secretary directed the officers of the Public Works Department (B&R), Urban Local Bodies, Executive Engineer Panchayati Raj and State Marketing Board to make it mandatory to use plastic waste materials in road construction as per the norms of Ministry of Road Transport and National Highways.
• The Chief Secretary directed the Deputy Commissioners and District Municipal Commissioners to hold regular review meetings of the Special Task Force on Plastic Management through virtual means.
• Apart from this, he also directed the officers to create awareness among all sections of the society, especially at the rural level, and to promote wide-scale publicity activities on plastic waste management to solve the environmental issue.

CM Inaugurated & Laid the Foundation Stone of 347 Projects worth Rs 2741 crore

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 347 projects worth Rs 2741 crore through video conferencing from Ferozepur Jhirka in Nuh district of the state.

Key Points:

• These projects include inauguration of 157 projects worth Rs 1270 crore and foundation stone laying of 190 projects worth Rs 1462 crore.
• The Chief Minister also dedicated nine projects worth Rs 305 crore to the residents of Nuh district in Ferozepur Jhirka. Ministers, MPs and MLAs inaugurated and laid foundation stones of development projects in the programs organized in the districts.
• The Chief Minister announced 4 new drinking water projects for 66 villages of Nuh assembly constituency. About 306 crore rupees will be spent on this. He also announced the construction of a road from Nuh to Munda village.
• Apart from this, it was also announced to increase drinking water capacity from 55 LPCD to 70 LCPD in 80 villages in Ferozepur Jhirka.
• By adding the cost of these projects to Rs 2,741 crore, it becomes approximately Rs 15,000 crore. Inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of projects on such a large scale digitally from one place is a great example of e-governance, saving time and money as well.
• The inaugurated Rainy Well-based drinking water scheme is the biggest project for Nuh district, which will directly benefit the residents of Ferozepur Jhirka.
• It is known that the people of this area used to observe fast in Ramzan and when they broke their fast in the evening, they needed water, which they had to buy water from. Now people will not have to buy water from this project.

Reconstitution of Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board Panchkula

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, the Governor of Haryana reconstituted the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board Panchkula with immediate effect in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Act, 1991.

Key Points:

• The Chief Minister of Haryana will be the chairman of this board and the urban local bodies minister will be the vice-chairman.
• The members of the board will be the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner & Secretary of the Urban Local Bodies Department. The Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrator of Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Panchkula will be the Member Secretary.
• The non-official members include Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Latika Sharma, Banto Kataria, Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, Panchkula Chamber of Commerce and Industries Chairman Arun Grover and Hari Chand Gupta.
• The associate members include Vishal Seth and Ishwar Jindal.