Amaravati: In a review meeting with the forest and environment department on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan has taken a transformational decision to impose ban on single-use plastic and to levy a green tax to keep the pollution levels in check. Jagan has reportedly expressed his discontent over the Pharma companies who established their production houses in hatchery zones. He also stated that when compared to the one lakh tonnes of waste being produced by pharma companies, only 30 per cent was being refined. In the interest of future generations, the CM directed the officials to prepare an action plan to make environment rules more stringent within one month.
“Take up case studies on various methods being implemented by other countries to preserve the environment and curb the pollution,” he directed the Pollution Control Board (PCB). The CM assured that the government would take the responsibility of containing the pollutants from the industries by levying green taxes. “Our government is ready to introduce the required bills in the next assembly sessions and bring new legislations. No one should be allowed to leave the solid and liquid waste untreated into the ocean,” he added. Instructing the officials to set focus on the increasing levels of pollution in Visakhapatnam, Jagan has also passed orders to take up mission-Godavari for clean canal banks.