Ban on single-use plastic items flouted with impunity in Chandigarh

The ban on single-use plastic imposed by the Chandigarh Administration remains only on paper. Shopkeepers as well vegetable vendors are seen flouting it without any fear in markets, apni mandis of different sectors and the Sector 26 vegetable market. Polythene bags lying in the open are not only an eyesore, but also a reason behind blockage of sewer lines.

The Medical Officer Health (MOH) wing of the civic body has issued 1,289 challans to those flouting the ban over the past five months.

In a notification issued in 2019, the UT Administration had imposed a complete ban on storing, using and producing single-use plastic. The Director, Environment, Chandigarh, the Deputy Commissioner, SDMs, the Joint Commissioner of MC, the district food and supply officer, inspectors of the Food and Supply Department, the MOH and sanitary inspectors of the civic body and food safety officers were authorised to issue challans to violators.

Councillor Saurabh Joshi said there was a need to strictly implement the ban. He had raised the issue during the last House meeting held in March. In reply, the MC had admitted that it has not conducted any survey to find out the efficacy of the ban and that it does not have any disposal facility for plastic waste.

Joshi said there was need to hold meetings with all departments on the issue and a joint drive must be conducted to enforce the ban.

MC officials claimed that the civic body had taken several initiatives to provide shopkeepers and vendors with alternatives to plastic carry bags. Vendors were also warned not to use single-use plastic bags and challans were issued to violators.

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla said though the MC was taking the action against the violators, public cooperation was required to make the city plastic-free.