Karnataka Govt sets up task force to eradicate single use plastic

27 May 2021 CW Team

The Karnataka Government has formed a 16-member Special Task Force (STF) for implementing measures to eliminate single-use plastic in the state.

The force has both Principal secretaries of several departments as its members, and Member Secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board will be its Member Convener.

The meeting of the STF will be assembled once every two months. And, as needed, the Chairperson may co-opt members.

According to the decision taken in the PRAGATI conference held by the Prime Minister on January 24, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had requested the state government to constitute a Special Task Force.

The state government has even selected the Directorate of Municipal Administration as the nodal department for urban sectors and the Rural Drinking water and Sanitation Department as the nodal department for rural sectors.

The city/district level task force has been constituted for efficient implementation on the ground, directed by the Chief Commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru and Deputy Commissioners in districts.

MoEFCC has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, banning plastic carry bags less than 50 microns.

The Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology, Government of Karnataka in 2016, has also announced the prohibition on selling and utilisation of all kinds of plastic carry bags, including buntings and flex, plastic banners, plates, cups, spoons, etc. on the dining table and thermocol across the state.

Image Source

Also read: Revised plastic use law to be implemented from Jan 1

Also read: Plastic waste: India, Germany to stem discharge into water systems

Infrastructure Energy

22 Dec 2025

Coal Ministry Simplifies Disposal of Washery Rejects

The Ministry of Coal has recently simplified the process for disposal of coal washery rejects to enhance ease of doing business and ensure faster utilisation, while maintaining environmental safeguards. The move aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and ongoing reform agenda in the coal sector. Under the existing policy issued on 27 May 2021, washery rejects were disposed of through a three-tier priority system. The first priority allows their use for energy extraction, in line with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, applicable to waste with calorific value above 1,500 kca..

India, Oman Sign CEPA to Boost Trade and Services Ties

India and Oman have recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a major milestone in India’s strategic engagement with the Gulf region. The agreement was signed in the presence of Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, by Piyush Goyal and Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. The CEPA provides unprecedented market access for Indian goods, with Oman offering zero-duty access on 98.08 per cent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 per cent of India’s exports by value. Major labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, enginee..

TTDF Backs 136 Telecom R&D Projects Worth Rs 5.42 Bn

The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme has recently approved 136 projects worth Rs 5.42 billion to strengthen indigenous telecom innovation across India, the government informed Parliament. The scheme focuses on bridging the digital divide by enabling development and manufacturing of advanced telecom technologies for rural and remote areas. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the TTDF Scheme, launched on 1 October 2022, supports IITs, NITs, MSMEs, start-ups and research institutions work..