Bhubaneswar: With the deadline of the awareness drive against use of polythene and plastic bags drawing to a close on Wednesday, the Odisha government has decided to strictly implement the ban order from Thursday.
Talking to mediapersons here, director-cum-special secretary, Environment, K Murugesan said that the state government had decided to ban use of plastic and polythene bags in the state from October 2, and conducted a month-long awareness drive that will end today.
“The state government will strictly enforce the ban in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur municipal corporations and Puri municipality from tomorrow. The Housing and Urban Development department has been asked to instruct the administration to ensure strict enforcement of the order. Plastic and polythene bags stocked by the trading establishments will be seized and manufacturing units sealed. If trader and manufacturing company are found selling these items, they would be slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh while the small traders would be imposed a fine of Rs 3000, Rs 5000 and Rs 7000 depending on the volume,” he said.
Stating that the use of polythene and plastic bags had come down to about 50 per cent during the awareness campaign, he said as an alternative measure, cotton and paper bags have been prepared.
According to the state government directive, no person will be 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 banned plastic and polythene 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, blood transfusion bags, plastics used in plant nurseries, agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, medicines, plastic and polythene having more than 50 microns, plastic bags having 20 per cent reusability, water bottles having more than 500 ml capacity and thermocol used for transportation of electronic goods have been exempted from the purview of the ban order.
