Minister Pankaja Munde Urges Use of Cloth Bags Over Single-Use Plastic

Mantralaya Staff Pledge to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic

Mumbai – On the occasion of World Environment Day, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde led a special program at the Mantralaya, where officials and staff pledged to give up single-use plastic and adopt cloth bags. Minister Munde emphasized that every department in the Mantralaya must become free of single-use plastic, and urged all government personnel to actively participate in this initiative.

This was the first-ever campaign within the Mantralaya aimed at eliminating single-use plastic while also educating participants about the importance of environmental conservation. The event was attended by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry N. Ramaswamy, Principal Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies Vinita Singhal, and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Jayashree Bhoj, among others.

Minister Munde administered a pledge to officials and staff to avoid single-use plastic and encouraged the use of eco-friendly alternatives like cloth bags. Cloth bags were also distributed to attendees during the event.

“Say Yes to the Environment and No to Plastic” – Minister Pankaja Munde
Minister Munde stated that environmental conservation is a major priority and cultivating an interest in protecting nature is essential for all. She stressed that government and private offices consume a large amount of paper, and the Mantralaya should take the first step towards paperless operations. This awareness needs to be spread across Maharashtra, and everyone must first become aware themselves before trying to awaken others.

She appealed to the public to avoid using paper and plastic, switch to cloth bags, and take an oath from today to protect the environment by saying “No to Plastic, Yes to the Environment.”

Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik: Let’s Spread the Message of Plastic-Free Maharashtra
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik remarked that this initiative is not just a campaign but a public message. It aims to raise awareness about cleanliness and responsibility toward the environment. She urged everyone to inform family, friends, and colleagues about methods to preserve the environment and reduce the use of paper and plastic. She said that the Mantralaya, with its 9,500 employees, must take the lead in spreading the message of eliminating single-use plastic throughout the state. The slogan “My Office, My Home – Plastic-Free and Eco-Friendly” should translate into real, concrete action, including adopting paperless systems.

Earlier, Secretary Jayashree Bhoj provided an overview of the department’s ongoing measures and strategies to combat the use of single-use plastic across the state.