The Revenue and Market departments of the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) carried out an intense drive in various markets to seize polythene bags and ensure implementation of State Government ban on the product.
The drive was led by Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Dr luvkush Singraul and Revenue Officer Arun Dubey which was carried out in Banjari road, Malviya road and Amardeep Talkies of the city. The officials also collected Rs3500 as fine from a total of 18 shops who failed to keep dustbins in their shops and prevent littering. It is noteworthy that State Government has constituted State-level Advisory Committee for monitoring the implementation of provisions of notification released by Union Ministry of Forest and Environment New Delhi in year 2011, regarding proper disposal of waste plastic.
This committee has been formed by Urban Administration and Development Department. Principal Secretary of Urban Administration Department is the chairman of this committee. There is a provision of including one expert from each of Environment Department, Environment Conservation Department, local Urban Body, NGO, one from industrial area and one expert from education field, as members of the committee. Director of Urban Administration and Development Department is the member Secretary of this committee. In Novemver last year, the Chhattisgarh Government had decided to declare the state as ‘Plastic Carry Bag Free State’ and it came into effect from January 1, 2015.
Urban Administration and Development Department has issued a draft notification and had requested people to send their objections and suggestions within 30 days. In the draft notification, Government has stated that plastic carry bag causes both short-term and long-term environmental damage and health hazards.
“Article 48-A of the Constitution of India envisages that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment. Hence, Chhattisgarh Government is of the firm view that plastic carry bags are detrimental to environment and also to the health of people as well as animals,’’ the Government statement added.
It is observed that that plastic carry bags causes blockages in drains and gutters, leading to serious environmental problem. In order to prevent such environmental hazards, State Government has decided to declare Chhattisgarh state as a ‘plastic carry bag free area.’ The State Government ordered that no person including shopkeepers, retailers, wholesalers, traders, vendors etc, should use plastic carry bags.
State Government further ordered that from January 1, 2015 onwards, no person shall manufacture, store, import, sell or transport plastic carry bag in Chhattisgarh. It has been clearly stated in the notification that the words ‘plastic’ and ‘carry bags’ shall have the same meaning as defined under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
The containers used for packaging food material, milk and raising plants in the nurseries are not carry bags. State Government further directs that District Collector, Officers of Commercial-Tax Department, Regional Officers of the Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board, All Commissioners/Chief Municipal Officers of urban local bodies of the State will implement these directions and file complaints.