KARACHI, June 21: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim on Tuesday acknowledged the grave environmental hazard posed by polythene bags, use of which had been banned in the province long ago, but could not elaborate as to why the government failed to getting the decision implemented. Responding to a question from Mohammad Idrees Siddiqui during question hour, the chief minister in his written reply admitted that use of polythene bags, especially black ones, was a posing health hazardous.

The chief minister informed the house that on March 21 last year a summary was floated by the Secretary, Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department to the Governor of Sindh for banning plastic, shopping bags, which was approved by the governor.

The plastic bags were banned in the province by the Sindh Local Government Department in pursuance of the powers conferred under para 51(1) and 51(2) sub para (3) and (5)of para 51 of Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO) 1979.

Thereafter EPA/ Environment & Alternative Energy Department took several steps to get the ban implemented through district management, he said placing copies of letter written in this regard in the house.

Furthermore, he said, under its public awareness campaign, EPA also informed the public about harmful effects of black plastic bags and motivated them for avoiding the use of these bags.

To another question from the same member about international standards for automobile emissions, Dr Arbab Rahim in his written reply said the government of Pakistan would enforce Euro-II and Euro-III international standards from 2007 and 2009 respectively.

This pertained to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, Pakistan & Ministry of Industries and Production, Islamabad, he added.

The Sindh assembly was also informed that it was hard to suggest that emissions from Zeal Pak cement factory in Hyderabad was causing TB and blindness.

This was stated by Mr Mohammad Adil Siddiqui, provincial minister for industries, in response to a question from the interned PPP MPA Zahid Bhurgari who had raised the issue asking the minister to verify report of blindness of about 20 parsons in the nearby areas besides damage to crop.

Adil Siddiqui informed the house that as far as question of emissions from the cement factory which was causing lung diseases and blindness, information could be obtained from the health department, Sindh.

At this stage it was hard to suggest that emissions from Zeal Pak were causing TB and blindness. Crop yield decline in the vicinity should also be verified from the agriculture department, he said.

He said that emissions from the factory had been a cause of concern. Action had already been taken in this regard. The minister pointed out that there had been a number of attempts to direct the Zeal Pak Cement Factory to take remedial measure.

Notice was issued to the management of the Zeal Pak Cement Factory on Aug 26, 2004, and in reply the Zeal Pak Cement Factory conducted an analysis and it was communicated that the factory had installed two dust collectors and had fabricated a showering system.

To a question form Nasrullah Shaji, the minister acknowledged that two per cent quota had been fixed for employment of disabled persons in the Sindh Government. However, no appointment had been made against this quota during the period from January 2003 in the industries department.