Move towards 'Swachhata': Polythene ban in six cities from today

Bhubaneswar: The manufacture and use of polythene and certain plastic products will be off-limits in six cities of Odisha as the State Government has implemented a ban on the synthetic material in different phases from today marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The stricture will come to enforcement in six cities- Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur Municipal Corporations along with pilgrim town Puri.

This apart, the state government has directed the concerned district Collectors and Sub-Collectors to ensure strict implementation of the ban with some leeway till one month (November 2, 2018) after which action would be taken against violators which includes a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and a jail term of 5 years. The same applies even to small traders who could face a penalty of Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 for violating the rule. They have also been asked to conduct surprise raids to check violation of norms.

As per the new norms, no person can sell, trade, manufacture, import, store, carry, transport, use or distribute polythene and single-use plastic in the above mentioned cities.

Polythene carry bags of any shape, thickness and size, bottled drinking water in polythene terephthalate bottles of less than 200 ml capacity, single use disposable cutleries made up of thermocol (polystyrene), polyurethane or plastic such as dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl, pouch to store liquid and container of any shape and size except for packing and sale of milk and other ancillary milk products have been banned.

Also, polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article or commodity will not be allowed from today.