A total of 4000 kilograms of plastic carry bags were confiscated by the joint teams of Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Local Bodies department in the state-wide raids to monitor the efficacy of ban on plastic carry bags.
Sharing the information, Tandrust Punjab Mission Director Kahan Singh Pannu on Sunday said that the surprise checks were made at nearly 500 shops or units revealing over 200 violations, and on the spot collection of fine was to the tune of Rs one lakh and 179 challans were issued during the raids.
Nearly 1,100 kilograms of plastic carry bags were seized from Fatehgarh Sahib district alone.
He said that as per sub-section 2 of Section 7 of the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage and Disposal) Control Act, 2005, the State Government has already completely prohibited manufacturing, stocking, distribution, recycling, sale and use of plastic carry bags in the in the State.
The plastic carry bags are the bags having self carrying handle or “D” punched handle made either from plain plastic or non-woven plastic.
Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, Executive Officers of the Municipal Councils or Nagar Panchayats and Panchayat Secretaries, as the case may be, are authorized to take action in pursuance to the provisions of the Act, in the areas under their respective jurisdictions.
Punjab Pollution Control Board is authorised to take action against the units manufacturing or storing such plastic carry bags, he added.
Pannu said that it has been observed that despite ban, use of plastic carry bags is still rampant in Punjab, which is a gross violation of the law and a serious environmental hazard. So, a special drive has been initiated to ensure strict compliance of the law, he said.
As per the directions of the Chief Minister, large scale raids or checks would be undertaken to ensure implementation of the law in the days to come.