Collector Rajakumari Ganiya on Monday launched the ‘plastic-free’ lunch programme for people attending the Public Grievance Redressal Forum (PGRS), which is held every Monday at the Collectorate.

People from far off places in the the district visit the Collectorate on Monday’s to submit petitions to senior officials and the district administration serves food to those visiting the Collectorate to submit petitions. Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya said that they have launched the ‘plastic-free’ lunch programme as part of their objective to transform Nandyal into a plastic-free district and called upon the citizens to become partners in achieving this goal.

The Collector said they were taking up several measures aimed at eliminating single-use plastic. She said that nearly 400 to 450 people from various parts of the district visit the Collectorate every Monday to voice their concerns at the PGRS. As citizens visit the PGRC regardless of the weather conditions, the administration has arranged a reception area to ensure their comfort, where their grievances are received and forwarded to the officials for resolution.

With the collaboration of the Red Cross Society, Kashinayana Ashram, and the Nandyal Municipality, the administration will also facilitate mid-day meals to the people visiting the Collectorate every Monday.

Until now, the meals were served on leaf plates lined with a thin plastic film. As part of eco-friendly initiatives and to eliminate single-use plastics going forward, 400 steel plates and a similar number of steel glasses have been introduced for use with the assistance of the municipality.

On the occasion, the Collector also announced the establishment of ‘Steel Plates and Steel Glasses Bank’ in the municipality limits. Individuals can utilise these steel utensils for weddings, auspicious ceremonies, and community gatherings by paying a nominal rental fee. Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya appealed to the function hall organisers, social organisations, and general public to reduce plastic consumption, encourage the use of steel utensils, and actively participate in transforming the district into a ‘Plastic-Free’ zone.