Coming down hard on the rampant use of polythene in Chandigarh, a team constituted by the UT Administration conducted inspection at various places in Industrial area here and seized around 40 quintals of polythene on Monday.
A team headed by sub divisional magistrate (east) Danish Ashraf conducted the raid at various shops in Industrial area, Phase II and seized around 40 quintals of polythene. A UT official informed that such raids will continue in Chandigarh. A warning has been issued to the shopkeepers not to use polythene bags.
Notably, a blanket ban on polythene and plastic bags was enforced in the year 2008 (on October 2) in the Union Territory of Chandigarh under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986). The blanket ban on manufacture and use of polythene and plastic bags here was aimed at ensuring sustainable improvement in the environment.
In Chandigarh, those who breach the ban can face a prison term of up to five years and/or a fine of upto Rs1,00,000. Repeat offenders may face up to seven years imprisonment and/or an additional fine of Rs5,000 per day.
The UT Environment Department had last year got conducted a study by local environmental organization “Environment Matters” on assessment of polythene bag ban in the city. The study had stated, “Continuation of polythene ban in Chandigarh needs a re-think due to enactment of Plastic Waste (management and Handling) Rules 2011 in the country.”
Terming the ban on polythene bags as “ineffective” and “unenforceable”, the study had further stated that the issue of conflict in case of Plastic Waste (management and Handling) Rules 2011 needs to be sort out in the city as with its implementation, there is no need of complete ban on plastic in Chandigarh.