Ban on plastics: Delhi govt launches drive to check compliance

Delhi Government today launched a massive drive to check compliance of the blanket ban on use of
plastic bags across the city.

Twenty-three teams of environment department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee visited 44 shopping malls and 19
five-star hotels as part of the drive.

Officials said the teams carried out checks in 468 shops in the malls and 46 shops in hotels and found violation of the ban in 152 outlets. The violators were let off with verbal warning of not to repeat the offence.

The government last month had imposed the ban on manufacture, sale, storage and use of plastic bags as per
provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, under which violators could face imprisonment up to five years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or both.

Use of plastic cover or pouch to pack magazines,invitation cards and greeting cards will also be prohibited.

Officials said initially government will only focus on plastic carry bags and will not target packaged food and materials.

Authorities like civic bodies, NDMC, Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee were tasked
to implement the ban.

Plastic carry bags for use, as specified under the BioMedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, is
not covered under the ban.

The Delhi government had last month ordered traders involved in production of plastic bags to dismantle their
manufacturing facilities by the deadline.

The manufacturers had gone to Delhi High Court challenging the notification but the court has not pronounced
any order on the issue.

————————PTI