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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Call to increase polythene bags thickness

By Our Correspondent
February 22, 2019

LAHORE: Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Punjab has demanded the government amend Ordinance 2002 to increase thickness of polythene bags from 15 micron to 45 micron.

The demand was put before Minister for Environment M Rizwan in a departmental meeting held here on Thursday. Environmental Protection Department Secretary Dr Zafar said there was an immediate need to amend Ordinance 2002 to increase thickness of polythene bags. He said India had fixed the thickness of polythene bags to 50 micron and China has fixed it to 60 micron.

The secretary also demanded that powers also be delegated to officials of Local Govt Department and district administration in addition to the officials of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make it more effective.

The minister agreed to the demand and directed the secretary to make a clear policy to increase thickness of shopping bags from 15 micron to 40 micron. He advised him to immediately start work on formulation of draft plastic bag Act 2019 and start awareness campaign to discourage the use of light weight and low thickness polythene bags.

hospitals: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has given the last warning to Rahimyar Khan Sheikh Zayed Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ghulam Rabbani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Makhdoom Basharat to improve their performance.

The minister warned both doctors during her surprise visit to the hospital. Dr Yasmin Rashid reviewed cleanliness arrangements and the facilities being provided to the patients and attendants in the hospital. She said no negligence would be tolerated with regard to provision of best medical facilities in the hospitals of South Punjab.

She also chaired a meeting of the academic council members regarding purchase of medicines. Dr Yasmin Rashid said it was priority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government to ensure availability of best medical facilities in the hospitals. Betterment of administrative issues, 100 per cent attendance of doctors and best medical facilities for patients are the top challenges to be met, she said.

The Punjab government is trying to meet the target of shortage of doctors in the hospitals, she said, adding, “The target of our government is to divert public from private hospitals to government hospitals by improving standard of services.” accidents: The Punjab Emergency Service/Rescue 1122 responded to 645 road accidents in all 36 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.

Five people died and 716 suffered injuries in the road accidents. Out of the injured, 398 badly injured were removed to hospitals while 318 victims with minor injuries were given first aid by the rescue medical teams.