The Department of Defence is into the third week of the implementation phase (02-31 Oct, 2023) of the Special Campaign 3.0 along with the concomitant Swachhata Abhiyan. It may be recalled that during the preparatory phase of the Special Campaign 3.0, Department of Defence had identified a total of 3066 locations/sites across India where the Swachhata Abhiyan with people-centric engagement is to be undertaken. These locations pertain to various organizations such as Controller General of Defence Accounts, Border Roads Organization, Military Hospitals, Directorate General of National Cadet Corps, Indian Coast Guard, Sainik Schools, Canteen Stores Department and the Cantonments. At the close of business on 18.10.23, 1832 such sites had already been covered.

A total number of 28,859 such files have already been reviewed till 18.10.2023 and 16,485 such files are proposed to be weeded out.  At the close of business on 18.10.23, a total of 92,850 square feet of space has been freed and revenue of Rs 55.43 Crore has been generated by way of  auction of condemned vehicles and disposal of other scrap and obsolete otems.

As part of the best practices deployed during the ongoing Campaign , Cantonment Board Dehradun has started “Polythene Kachra Bank” in Dehradun Cantonment area for disposal of polythene waste. The polythene waste i.e. chips wrapper, polythene packing bags, polythene sacks etc is purchased at Rs 03/- per kg from the people. The collection centres for Polythene Kachra Banks have been installed at three sites in the Cantonment area.

The polythene waste collected is then used for manufacturing High Density Composite Polymer (HDCP) tiles, boards etc. The Cantonment Board purchases minimum 70 tons to maximum 100 tons of polythene waste every month.

People can store polythene waste in the corner of their house and go to the nearest “Polythene Kachra Bank” any day of the month for sale of polythene waste.  Apart from this the polythene waste can also be given to the person collecting garbage from home.

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ABB/GC