4,000-kg plastic bags seized

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 16

Under “Mission Tandarust Punjab”, raids have been carried out across the state and around 4,000 kg of banned plastic bags were seized.

The statewide raids were carried out on Saturday by the joint teams of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the Department of Local Bodies to monitor the efficacy of ban on plastic carry bags.

Mission Director KS Pannu said surprise checks were carried out at nearly 500 shops/units and 200 violations were detected.

“As many as 4,000 kg plastic carry bags were confiscated during the raids, of which nearly 1,100 kg were from Fatehgarh Sahib district alone,” he said in a statement.

As many as 179 challans were issued and Rs 1 lakh was collected as fine on the spot.

Pannu said under the provisions of the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage and Disposal) Control Act, 2005, the state government had completely prohibited manufacturing, stocking, distribution, recycling, sale and use of plastic carry bags.