The Chhattisgarh Government announced on Wednesday that it would impose a complete ban on use, sale, production, storage and transportation of polythene carry bags across the State from the very first day of the New Year.
The Government had already published gazette notification in this regard on October 30, 2014 and issued circular on Wednesday to the Municipal Commissioners and Chief Municipal Officers of all Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, asking them to study the notification and ensure proper implementation of it. The notification states that plastic carry bags choke gutter and drainage lines which causes outbreak of hazardous diseases and thus a ban on it is appropriate.
As per the order, factory owners, shopkeepers, wholesalers, retailers, roadside vendors and others have been asked to refrain from use/production/storage/transportation/sell of polythene carry bags from the very first day of year 2015. The district collector, officials from the commercial tax department, regional officers of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB), commissioner of civic bodies or chief municipal officer has been authorized to take action against the violators under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
However, plastic used in packaging of food/milk products and to carry saplings will not be considered as carry bags. In the notification, relaxation has also been given on Rule 2 of Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 by allowing export of carry bags made of recycled or degradable plastics. While CECB has been assigned responsibility of implementing Rule 4 (A) of Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 and local bodies will work as described under Rule 4 (B) of Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
Besides, the official authorised by Government of India under section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 will be able to file complaint in this regard. Besides, the officials concerned have been asked to encourage Self Help Groups (SHGs) and others for production of paper/fabric/jute bags as replacement of plastic carry bags.