Hyderabad, July 06: Finally, Secretariat has decided to fall in line with the noplastic policy. The government has issued orders prohibiting use of plastic carry bags, tea cups and and food packaging on the premises. Violation of the ban will attract penalties ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 500.
The General Administration Department’s (GAD’s) circular in this regard to various departments said the ban had previously been notified under the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This will now be enforced.
Use of colored plastic carry bags of less than 20 microns thickness would be prohibited in all Secretariat canteens and offices. All departments have been asked to scrupulously adhere to the ban on use of recycled plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packing foodstuffs. There will be no more use of plastic posters and flexi banners, the circular said.
The GAD said implementation of its order _ the stimulus for which came from the Chetana Saraswata Vedika _ would be the charge of a health inspector. It directed the chief security officer of the Secretariat to instruct the Special Police personnel to look out for use of plastic.
–Agencies