Punjab Minister for Environment Makhdoom Ashfaq Ahmed has directed officials concerned to speed up the ongoing campaign against shopkeepers involved in using empty plastic drums for storage of edibles. He issued these directions during a meeting, which was also attended by Secretary Environment Iqbal Shaikh and other officers.
The minister said that many shopkeepers were using plastic drums for storing milk, jams, cream, ghee, water and other daily use items. It is observed that poisoned particles of chemicals remain present in these drums, which may cause negative effects on human lives, he observed.
The minister said the environment department had launched a drive with the co-operation of district government and action had been taken against hundreds of shopkeepers found involved in this practice. The department officials seized a number of such drums during the drive.
The minister also appealed to masses not to use edibles stored in such plastic drums for sake of their health. He also urged NGOs, district government and other segments of society to play their due role to make this campaign successful.