Admn issues orders for enforcement of outright ban on polythene bags

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 5

The district administration today reiterated prohibition on the use of plastic carry bags. The ban order hasn’t brought desired results.

As the plastic and polythene carry bags are widely used in markets despite its negative impact on environment and clogging sewerage lines are known.

The lawmakers of the state made several laws and requisite amendments to curb its use but it has its limited impact. The district authorities have the onerous task to keep a tab on the manufacturing, sale and use of plastic carry bags.

The then government in the state had accorded approval to the amendment to the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage, Disposal) Bill, 2016. Earlier, the Cabinet had approved the issuance of an ordinance to insert clause 2 in the Section 7 of the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage, Disposal), Control Act, 2005, on December 22, 2015.

Under the ordinance, the Department of Local Government was to to prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags in the jurisdiction of all the municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats with effect from April 1, 2016. Similarly, the Rural Development and Panchayat Department was also to implement the ban on the use of plastic bags.

Earlier, there was already a ban on polythene bags below 40 microns in width having dimensions less than 8x12 inches or not complying with the specified colours.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner KS Sangha today convened a meeting with officials of the administration, Municipal Corporation and Excise and Taxation Department over the matter. He directed them to strictly implement the state government’s direction to completely prohibit manufacturing, stocking, sale and transportation of plastic bags.

Gunbir Singh, president, Dilbir Foundation, says despite introduction of so many laws the use of plastic bags is rampant. “It is not likely to come down unless the government comes up with a durable alternative. Bags made up of cornstarch and polylactic could be the alternative to polybags,” he said.