The Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has now warned shop owners that if polythene bags were found again in their shops, they could face cancellation of their shop license Notably, the Revenue and Market Team of Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) raided Wal-Mart’s Best Price Departmental Store located in Bhanpuri and seized 15 kg banned polythene bags from the store on Friday.
About 12 sacks of polythene bags were also seized from different shops located in Pandri Cloth Market, a RMC press release issued here on Friday stated. The surprise raids were conducted on the directives of RMC Commissioner Avneesh Kumar Sharan, officials said. After carrying out raid at Wal-Mart Best Price Departmental Store in Bhanpuri, the officers asked people present over there not to use poly bags.
Similarly, the team carried out raids in shops of about 25 street vendors located in Khamtarai main road and seized 2 sacks of poly bags. later on, after conducing search in Pandri Cloth Market about 12 sacks of banned polythene bags were also seized. The poly bags were seized from SM Readymade Garment store in Pandri, officials added.
The RMC while carrying out the raid asked customers to give up use of poly bags in larger interest. They were also informed that their shop could be sealed if the poly bags were found again. The RMC team suggested use of paper or jute bag for marketing. In November 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.
“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, the State Government has decided to declare Chhattisgarh State as a ‘plastic carry bag free area,’ it stated. The State government ordered that no person including shopkeepers, retailers, wholesalers, traders, vendors etc, should use plastic carry bags.
The State Government further ordered that from January 1, 2015 onwards, no person shall manufacture, store, import, sell or transport plastic carry bag in Chhattisgarh State. 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.
It may be recalled that the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) recently ordered the officers of local bodies to strictly ban the burning of plastic and solid waste in public places in the entire State. In a circular to all the officers of the local bodies, the Board said as per the order of year 2000, the burning of solid and plastic waste in the open are banned and is against law.
The circular said that it has come to the notice of the Board that the plastic waste was being burnt in the open, thus polluting the air in the vicinity. It is a clear case of violation of law, it stated. Stern action should be taken to prevent burning of solid waste material in the open. If any local body ignores the order then law will take its own course, the CECB stated in the circular.