MC cracks whip on traders selling single-use plastic

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 2

With the ban on single-use plastic by the state government coming into effect from July 1, the Municipal Corporation has asked shopkeepers to get ready for challans and penalty in case of using plastic material. However, the wholesalers of plastic materials have asked the government for alternative material and closed shops in protest at Katra Baghian.

19 challans issued on Day 1 of ban

• On the first day of the ban, the civic body issued 19 challans to shopkeepers selling single-use plastic
• According to the government, banning single-use plastic will reduce pollution as it is difficult to recycle
• The Municipal Corporation has started issuing challans to those selling single-use plastic items

Items banned in market

• Plastic carry bags
• Candy stick
• Plastic flags
• Ice-cream stick
• Plastic balloon stick
• Thermocol (polystyrene)
• Earbuds with plastic stick
• Plastic plate, cups, glasses, forks, spoon
• Plastic knife, straws, trays
• Wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets
• Plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns

In view of environmental pollution, the state government has banned single-use plastic. After this decision of the government, now the sale of single-use plastic is under the scanner of the health wing of the Municipal Corporation. There are around 19 items considered as single-use plastic, which are now banned in the market.

According to the government, banning the single-use plastics will reduce the pollution as such plastic is difficult to recycle. At the same time, the Ministry of Environment has given strict instructions that if any person is found using the plastic, legal action will be taken against him.

Health officials of the MC stated that plastic carry bags, ear buds with plastic stick, plastic balloon stick, candy stick, ice-cream stick, plastic flags, thermocol (polystyrene), plastic plate, plastic cups, plastic glasses, plastic forks, plastic spoon, knife straws, plastic trays, film wrapping or packing sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns have been banned.

The Municipal Corporation has started issuing challans to those who are selling single-use plastic items. JP Babar, Chief Sanitary Inspector, said, “We have inspected several restaurants and eating points regarding single-use plastic on Tarn Taran Road. We also checked hygiene in the kitchen there and issued challans to defaulters.”

MC Joint Commissioner Hardeep Singh said the MC was already making people aware of this ban. He said Chief Sanitary Inspectors and Sanitary Inspectors were inspecting shops selling banned single-use plastic items in their respective areas. On the first day of the ban, the civic body issued 19 challans to shopkeepers selling single-use plastic. Apart from this, 23 challans for unhygienic conditions were issued today.

Meanwhile, Harpal Singh, Executive Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PSEB), held a meeting with office-bearers of the Plastic Producers’ Association and Plastic Grain Producers here.

He said Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan has directed to create public awareness about the plastic ban.

He said if any industry, commercial establishment, traders and shops were found manufacturing, importing, stockpiling, distributing, selling and using single-use plastic, action would be taken against them as per the rules.

He said checking teams had been constituted in this regard, which would check at different places and take necessary action.

SDO Ammitpal Singh Chahal said the rising use of such plastic was increasing the pollution of water, air and soil. Strict action needed to be taken against violators.

He said this was not only increasing solid waste, but also blocking sewer lines and drains. He said it would be brought in the district as a campaign to curb the use of single-use plastic and the use of single-use plastic would be stopped with the participation of all sections.

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