Teams to enforce polythene bag ban

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 31

The district administration has formed five teams, to be headed by various department officials, to ensure proper implementation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stern directives regarding a ban on the use of polythene bags.

District Magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh at a meeting held today told City Magistrate Jai Bharat Singh, Additional City Magistrate, Tehsildar, Jwalapur SHOs, assistant town officer and health officer of the municipal corporation to head five teams.

Chugh said the NGT had given clear directions to ban the use, sale and stocking of polythene bags in Haridwar. Therefore, the teams had been formed to ensure proper implementation of the NGT order.

“Anyone found violating the NGT directive will be fined Rs 500 initially. But if the same person is found violating the order again, he will be fined Rs 5,000. The teams will regularly monitor Har-ki-Pauri, markets, shops and public places,” said Chugh.

Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi said the municipal corporation had been penalising violators in markets near Har-ki-Pauri. She added a mass awareness drive was being carried out to sensitise local residents, traders, pilgrims and tourists about the ill-effects of polythene bags and the NGT order.

“We distribute eco-friendly bags free of cost to traders and also distributing pamphlets about the ill-effects of polythene bags,” she said.

Suresh Gulati, president of the City Traders’ Association, said they supported the administration in the drive. He added the traders wanted some time to dispose of stocked polythene bags and buy paper, cloth or jute bags.