ban on polythene bags in haryana

February 2 – The Haryana Government has imposed a complete ban on the use of polythene bags made of virgin or recycled plasticwith a thickness of less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18inches in the state.While giving this information here today, Haryana Forests Minister,Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav said that no person would manufacture, stock,distribute, sell or use carry bags made of virgin or recycled plasticof thickness less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18 inches inthe state. Besides this, a complete ban had been imposed on use of alltypes of plastic articles such as carry bags (irrespective ofthickness and size), plates, cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and strawwithin the municipal limits of Thanesar/Kurukshetra and Pehowa towns,precincts of Mansa Devi Temple, Panchkula and Sheetla Mata Temple,Gurgaon and Public Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks ofHaryana and Gram Panchayats, Morni as these areas have specialhistorical, religious and ecological significance. The Minister said that a penalty of Rs.25,000 to Rs. 50,000 could beimposed on manufacturing unit if found violating the rules for thefirst offence and if it continues to violate rules, its license can becancelled in addition to confiscating the machinery used. Allmanufacturers should print on each market packet of carry bags as towhether these carry bags are made of ‘recycled material’ and shouldbear clear printing regarding thickness of 40 microns. Similarly, the retailer, vendor and other establishments found to beviolating these directions, could be fined from Rs. 2500 to Rs.5000for use of polythene or plastic carry bags of banned categories forthe first offence and if found violating subsequently their tradelicence can be cancelled. Apart from this, an individual found to belittering public places with plastic bags could be fined ranging inbetween from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per offence, he added.Capt. Yadav said that Haryana State Pollution Control Board would bethe Prescribed Authority for enforcement of these directions. Besidesthis, the concerned Municipal Commissioner, Executive Officer ofMunicipal Corporations/Municipal Committees would also ensure theenforcement of these directions. The Divisional Forest Officerconcerned would be prescribed authority for enforcement of theprovision of these directions in Wild Life Sanctuaries and NationalParks in the state of Haryana falling under their jurisdiction.He said that similarly, District Magistrate, Additional DistrictMagistrate, District Development and Panchayat Officer,Sub-Divisional Magistrate, City Magistrate, Executive Engineer, PublicHealth Engineering department, District Food and Supplies Controller,District Town Planner, Estate Officer, HUDA, Block Development andPanchayat Officer, Tehsildar and Naib-Tehsildar, Revenue department,Scientist-B, HSPCB, Assistant Environmental Engineer, HSPCB andExecutive Officer/Secretary of Municipal Council/Committee are madeprescribed authority for enforcement of the provisions of thesedirections.Capt. Yadav said that the Plastic Industry Associations, through theirmember units shall undertake self-regulatory measures. Religiousworship places, health care centres, hotels/restaurants, educationalinstitutions and other concerned agencies shall ensure strictimplementation of the ban on the use of carry bags made of recycledplastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packing or foodstuffs.He said that Municipal Corporations and other concerned agencies shallensure necessary measures to create wide publicity of the impacts ofusing plastic carry bags of thickness less than 40 microns and sizeless than 12 x 18 and littering of public places which adverselyaffect the environment and health of human beings, and also thepenalty provisions of these rules, through cinema exhibit slides,electronic/print media etc. The other provisions of the Recycled Plastic Manufacture and UsageRules, 1999 (as amended in 2003) and as amended from time to time bythe Government of India shall remain in force.