Bhubaneswar: As announced by the Odisha government earlier, the ban on the use of plastic was enforced in six cities of the state from Tuesday, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The six cities where the ban order has been enforced are Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur municipal corporations and Puri municipality. The state government has directed the administration to ensure strict enforcement of its order.
The state government has given one-month relaxation time for the traders dealing with plastic and polythene bags till November 30, after which appropriate action would be taken if they are found selling these items.
According to the state government directive, no person is allowed to sell, manufacture, import and stock plastic and polythene items. There will be a complete ban on carrying any items in plastic and polythene bags. Using plastic and polythene covers in transportation will also be banned.
Among the plastic and polythene items, which will not be used are drinking water pouches, plastic water bottles with less than 500 ml capacity, polythene bags, disposable plastic cups, plates, glasses, bowls, spoons, thermocol cups, plates, glasses and bowls, plastic dishes used in hotels for packing food items and plastic straws used for cold drinks and beverages.
Thermocol will not be used for decorating marriage pandals and puja mandaps. People have been asked not to carry any plastic or polythene bags to any public place. All religious institutions, hotels and restaurants have been directed to strictly abide by the order. Cinema hall owners have been asked to spread awareness through slide shows free of cost for one year. Besides, the media has been requested to launch an intensive awareness campaign against the use of plastic and polythene.
However, there will be no ban on the blood transfusion bags, plastics used in plant nurseries, agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, medicines, plastic and polythene having more than 50 microns, plastic bags having 20 percent reusability, water bottles having more than 500 ml capacity and thermocol used for transportation of electronic goods.
The state government has planned to formulate a buy-back policy in which the consumers will be provided cash in return for plastic bottles.
Those violating the order will undergo a five-year jail term with a fine up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh. The state government has also decided to make a penalty provision of Rs 2000-Rs 3000 for small traders in the existing Municipal Act.
Talking to mediapersons here, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ananta Jena, said that teams comprising officials of the Labour Department, BMC, Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Police Commissioner have been formed.
“The teams will make people aware against the use of plastic and polythene. Apart from this, notices have been served on plastic and polythene manufacturing companies while raids will be conducted on the godowns where these items are stocked,” he added.
Meanwhile, a team of Puri Municipality officials led by the District Collector, Jyoti Prakash Das raided several shops near Shree Jagannath Temple on Tuesday and made the traders and shopkeepers aware against the use of plastic and polythene bags. The team also seized polythene sheets from some sweet shops.
With the state government imposing a ban on the use of plastic and polythene, women’s self-help groups (WSHGs) in the state have started preparing paper bags. “We are happy that our group will be able to earn more in selling paper bags,” said a WSHG member of Rourkela.
The tribals of Mayurbhanj district have expressed happiness over the state government’s decision. “Since people will not use plastic and polythene bags, there will be more demand for bags, plates and bowls made of Sal leaves, which will benefit us immensely,” said a tribal woman.
