The state government will strictly enforce the ban in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur municipal corporations and the Puri municipality from tomorrow.
Through a letter, the Urban Development Department has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order and take stringent action against defaulters.
“Polythene bags stocked by the trading establishments and industries will be seized and manufacturing units will be sealed under the environment protection act,” Forests and Environment department director, K Murugesan said.
According to sources, if traders and manufacturing units are found selling banned polythene, they would be slapped with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and small traders would be penalised to the tune of Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000.
Murugesan further said if the offence is repeated, then defaulters could face imprisonment from 5years to 7years.
The use of polythene and plastic bags has come down by 50 per cent after declaration of the ban. Alternative measures have been taken as cotton and paper bags are being made available, informed Murugesan.
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As per the government guidelines, vendors will not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging.
Earlier the state government had announced to ban use of plastic and polythene bags in the state from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, and conducted a month-long awareness drive which will end today.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved fine structure for households, road-side eateries, restaurants.
As per the stipulated penalties, households will be penalised Rs 200, Rs 500, Rs 1,000 for first three instances of violation following which criminal proceedings can be initiated.
Similarly, shop owners will be fined Rs 500, Rs 1000, Rs 2,000 and restaurant owners will be penalised Rs 1000, Rs 2000, Rs 5000 for first three instances of violation following which criminal proceedings and cancellation of trade licence could be initiated.
Moreover for hotels including star category facilities, the penalty structure will be Rs 2000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 for first three instances of violation. Criminal proceedings and cancellation of trade license after the third violation could be initiated.
“From Gandhi Jayanti, the use of plastics will be banned in all municipal corporations and Puri,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said while addressing “Ama Mukhyamantri Ama Katha” programme at the State Secretariat here today.
Sources said in the first phase, the prohibitory orders on use of the material will be implemented at five municipal corporations- including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Samalpur and Rourkela. The ban will also be enforced in the pilgrim town Puri.
The use of plastic will be completely banned in the state in the next two years, Patnaik said while urging one and all to cooperate in making the programme a success.
Earlier in June this year, the ban on use of plastic was enforced in Maharastra while the Uttar Pradesh government had also announced to impose a ban on the same from July 15.
A self-help group in Parabeda area of Koraput district has taken up production of paper bags or 'Thunga' while spreading awareness among their customers and locals about the ill-effects of plastic bags.
With the motto of 'Say No To Plastics', ten women members of Maa Samaleswari self help group (SHG) make seven kilograms of paper bags every day and deliver it to their customers themselves.
Ribika Hial, a member of Maa Samaleswari SHG said "Our aim is to create awareness among the people to stop the use of plastic bags, which degrades the environment."
"We are ten members in the SHG and per day we prepare around 7 kgs of paper bags. After completing our work at 5 PM, we visit markets to buy raw materials and deliver the packets," said the leader of the SHG, Kiran Bahadur.
Meanwhile, intellectuals have hailed the move and said this will be instrumental in curbing plastic menace and advised the concerned authorities to encourage such organisations.
"These types of paper bag-making industries have vanished with the rush of plastics bags in the markets and steps should be taken to revive them. Money, manpower and willpower are required to encourage it," advised Jatindra Prasad Panda, a Jeypore resident.
During the campaign from June 1 to 7, the forest division has been buying unused plastic bottles from residents and business establishments to reuse them, an official said.
This year, the United Nations' theme for World Environment Day is 'Beat Plastic Pollution' - a call to combat one of the great environmental challenges of the time. The theme has been chosen by India, this year's host.
The Koraput forest division's drive aims to check plastic pollution in the urban areas of the district.
For each plastic bottle it buys, irrespective of the size, the forest division is paying the owner 50 paise. "We want to buy as much bottles as we can," said P Poornima, divisional forest officer, Koraput.
"Saplings can be placed in the cut bottles and hung in offices. We plan to develop an entire garden with saplings in plastic bottles," she said.
The department has also launched a campaign to make people aware of the ill-effects of plastic bottles. Apart from distributing leaflets and putting up posters, motorcycle rallies are being held to spread the word.
"Plastic items spill over from landfills and choke drains. It takes 1,000 years for the plastic carry-bags we use to break up. Most of them are used for just a few minutes-to carry things from the shop to the house. We are asking people to shun the use of plastic items," the officer said.
Photo: Tessa Levesque
Chief Minister K Palaniswami's announcement in the state assembly coincided with International Environment Day today.
Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel on the issue that had suggested banning plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said.
The chief minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers affect the environment, impeding water flow.
Its burning also causes problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution-- air, land and water.
"Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said.
However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products, will be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.
The ban is brought under an environment protection act of 1986 and it would come into effect from January 1, 2019, so as to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said.
Palaniswami recalled that people's participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources.
"Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state," he added.
A letter in this regard was issued by the State Forest and Environment Department on Saturday.
As per the directive issued by the concerned department, in six cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Puri, “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 (excluding compostable)
• Bottled drinking water in polythene terephthalate bottles of less than 200 ml capacity
• Single use of 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
• Thermocol decorative materials like flowers
Besides, the vendors will not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article or commodity or food items, consumables, packaging of milk and milk products and edible oil in sealed manner.
Plastics for carrying and transporting garbage and containers like cup for milk products including curd and ice-cream, polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, re-sealable bags, medical instruments and accessories as well as packing materials used for wrapping of any items at manufacturing stage have been exempted from the restrictions.
On the other hand, littering of plastic items in public places is barred. The authorities or owners of places of religious worship or institution, hotels and restaurants, cafe, mobile food counters or vans, caterers and other such places like marriage or party halls, offices or institutions and the outdoor event managers shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of the orders.
Meanwhile, the municipal commissioners of the concerned cities have also been directed to take adequate steps to implement the restrictions and make arrangements for the collection and disposal or recycling of any type of plastic items within one month of the implementation of the ban.
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.
The Forest and Environment Department issued the draft report inviting suggestions and grievances from general public on the regulations. The ideas can be communicated to the department within 15 days of the publication of the draft notification.
The state government has decided to implement ban on the use of plastics in Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur Bhubaneswar and Puri from the eve of Gandhi Jayanti this year.
As per the drafted regulations, people have been barred from selling, buying, producing or conserving plastics in any manner. Similarly use of polythene carry bags has also been prohibited. Barring materials which are easily decomposable, bottles with capacity less than 500 ml, plastic-made materials like spoon, cups, plate, glass, straw, pouches for water and other liquid materials will also not be entertained from October 2.
However, the government has relaxed stricture on use of polythene with width less than 50 microns used for packaging, food conservation and other uses.
Similarly, use of polythenes in nursery, farming, horticulture medicines, storage of blood and other fluids for medical use, syringe and saline will not come under the purview of the restriction.
Climate change has the potential to derail growth strategies and deepen poverty apart from loss of life, livelihood, assets and infrastructure, is what Neelima thinks.
In her article, she mentioned that the climate change has a special relevance for Odisha because of its location and geophysical conditions. Apart from the devastating super cyclone in 1999, repeatedly, Odisha has been facing intense tropical cyclones — the most recent being Daye and Titli. Not to forget the intense and unprecedented heat waves that claim many casualties.
Much before the ban on sale, storage and manufacture of plastic came into force in several cities of Odisha, Neelima had taken up the challenge and started her campaign in social media making many people aware of the destruction caused by single-use plastic to the lives and the environment. She was quite successful in changing the minds of people as many joined the campaign after that.
She is one of 80 participants of a diverse group of people from across the world who will be participating in Climate Force's "Leadership on the Edge" program led by Robert Swan OBE, as well as learning exercises led by renowned experts on issues of climate change, sustainability, and energy use. What follows this is that she will also be empowered with tools to implement these ideas and help protect the Arctic, as well as the place she resides in.
On the Arctic expedition, Neelima says, “By witnessing the pristine wilderness on Earth, I will be trained in sustainable ways of living and interacting with the ecosystem by the experts, thus helping me on my climate leadership journey.”
As she gears up for the expedition, she has launched a campaign as an attempt to raise funds to join the expedition to the Arctic to understand the effects of climate change first hand.
The expedition will prepare leaders with resources and actionable solutions to become a part of a global force of change.
“By supporting me, you will get your money's worth, as I will join a diverse group consisting of sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, which will empower me to work towards a better future for Odisha and our country too,” she states in her article.
Support me in my Arctic expedition for #ClimateChange, hosted by @robertswan2041.Im one amongst 80 selected worldwide and the only one from Odisha. https://t.co/WA6DLNu6YT
@nanditadas_ @BibhuMohapatra @sonamohapatra @nilamadhabpanda @sudarsansand @ChetJain @jeffbonaldi— Neelima Mishra (@NeelimaMishra6) January 9, 2019
A Post Graduate in Forest Management from the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, Neelima says she has the requisite skillsets in the realm of environmental and ecological sustainability. Having got the opportunity to intern with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in difficult terrains like Arunachal Pradesh, Neelima reveals the experience gave her the impetus to work towards nature conservation and sustainability.
Here's a special video on Neelima's journey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAqmQr4O3tU&feature=share
On October 2, 2018, after the Naveen Patnaik-government imposed the ban, a committee was constituted comprising officials of Commissionerate Police, Labour department, Pollution Control Board. The committee soon started raiding places around the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and also imposed penalty on violators. However, it seems, the drive and spirit have died down with time.
"People are not taking the ban seriously as they are unaware of the level of damage the environment is suffering. Lack of knowledge and awareness is the main hindrance," said a member of a Berhampur-based NGO, Aryabhatt Foundation, which is engaged in creating awareness among people about the harmful effects of polythene use.
However, Suresh Mohapatra, secretary of Forest and Environment department said: "The ban had been strictly imposed in six cities, but due to the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls and cyclone Fani, the enforcement has taken a backseat, but we have again sent directions to the six urban bodies to strictly enforce the ban."
Meanwhile, environmentalists are of the view that people are encouraged to use polythene because of its 'easy availability.' "People are easily getting polythene and due to this even if they are aware of its demerits, they are not hesitating to use such materials. The supply of polythene should be stopped," said environmentalist, Jay Krushna Panigrahi.
Panigrahi's concern now raises the question that though the government had banned the use of plastic bags of below 50 microns, had it banned the manufacturing of such bags too? It is believed that without strict enforcement on the supply side, it will become a big ask to keep ensure adherence.
The Balasore Municipality officials conducted a rigorous drive to create awareness among people for the last two days to ensure a complete ban on polythene under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
As per officials, a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on the traders and others using polythene bags.
Earlier, Odisha government has banned use of polythene in six cities- Cuttack, Bhubaneswar,Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Puri.
“We had conducted a meeting and we have decided to ban polythene use and seek public cooperation for the same. We are now conducting training and awareness drives to make Balasore polythene free,” said Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout.
Though the traders in Balasore have welcomed such decision of the administration, they are demanding a complete ban on manufacturing of polythene bags.
“We welcome the step but the authorities should ensure that a crackdown is launched on manufacturing units,” said Gautam, a local resident.
The call for a mass movement came days after Modi's Independence Day's address in which he had urged people to shun 'single-use' plastic to protect the environment.
In his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat', the prime minister also urged people to participate in the annual 'Swachhta Hi Seva' or 'the quest for cleanliness is service' campaign, which will begin on September 11 this year.
"This year, on October 2, when we celebrate Bapu's 150th birth anniversary, we shall not only dedicate to him an India that is open defecation-free but also shall lay the foundation of a new revolution against plastic, by people themselves, throughout the country," he said.
He said people from all strata of the society should celebrate Gandhi Jayanti this year as a day to make "Mother India plastic-free".
The prime minister urged all municipalities, municipal corporations, district administrations, gram panchayats, government and non-governmental bodies to work towards ensuring adequate arrangement for collection and storage of plastic waste.
"I also appeal to the corporate sector to come out with ways and means for appropriate disposal of all accumulated plastic. It can be recycled; it can be transformed into fuel. This way we can accomplish our task of ensuring safe disposal of plastic waste before this Diwali," he said.
Diwali festival this year falls on October 27.
He said all that is required to take up the challenge is resolve and "what can be a greater inspiration than Gandhi?".
In his Independence Day's address, Modi had urged citizens to eliminate 'single-use' plastic and suggested that shopkeepers provide eco-friendly bags to customers.
"This campaign has enthused people ... Many of my merchant brothers and sisters have put up a placard at their establishments, boldly mentioning that customers ought to carry shopping bags with them. This will result in monetary savings as well as one would be able to contribute towards protection of the environment," he said.
Sambalpur has become the second plastic free railway station in the country after Tirupati Railway Station, East Coast Railway (ECoR) said in a statement.
Officers of Sambalpur Railway Division led by Divisional Railway Manager Jaideep Gupta along with station employees, senior citizens, students and others, took pledge not to use plastic or polythene of single-use inside the station premises.
They also pledged not allow anybody for single-use plastic/polythene at the station, it said.
A large number of officers, NCC cadets, Scouts & Guides, school children, NGOs, passengers, vendors, licence porters, safaiwalas and other senior citizens were present in the function. Each group pledged not to use and not to allow the use of single-use plastic.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaideep Gupta highlighted the adverse impact of plastics on the environment and urged all to stop usage of "single-use plastic" like polythene bags, and plastic cups at Sambalpur station, railway offices and establishments.
"Brajbhoomi has always inspired the world, humanity and life. The entire world is looking for a role model for environmental conservation. But India had inspiration like Lord Krishna whose imagination without environment is impossible," said the Prime Minister.
Taking forward his pledge to phase out single-use plastic, Modi exhorted Indians to get their homes and offices rid of single-use plastic, before October 2 which also happens to be Gandhi Jayanti.
Modi also launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for eradicating foot and mouth disease and Brucellois in livestock.
Modi said it surprised him that earlier governments didn't deal with the problem that plagues livestock en masse, and he took it up as a campaign. This is part of the government's efforts to double farmers' income.
He also interacted with a number of waste collectors. He also sat down with them to tell them about the importance of segregating plastic from waste so that it doesn't end up in the stomachs of bovines.
He also inspected a machine facility that will recycle waste.
Taking a sharp dig at critics, Modi said, "There are a few who get a 'current' (electric shock) the moment they hear the word 'cow'."
He stressed the importance of bringing variety in dairy products that will be healthy and hygienic, and said that new techniques and innovations are important for the dairy sector to flourish.
Bhubaneswar: A section of the media has reported that Keonjhar district administration has decided to use sal leaf plates and disposable paper cups in a bid to reduce the consumption of plastic.
Sal leaf plates, popular known as “ khali”, have been part of socio-cultural life of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. They are used on festive occasions when large feats are organised. However, the arrival of plastic took its toll on the tradition and the use of ‘khali’ took a knock. Disposal plastic cups and plates have become fashionable.
The district administration’s move, thus, would not only ensure a healthy environment but also help restore the glory of an old tradition. More importantly it will boost the tribal economy as majority of sal leaf collectors happen to be scheduled tribe members.
For decades sal leaf has been a major source of income for forest dwellers in Odisha, especially in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh. Plates and cups made out of these leaves after primary level processing provides livelihood security to hundreds and thousands of tribals who inhabit forest villagers.
In some quarters there was a belief that commercial exploitation and unsustainable methods employed in the collection of Sal leaves was largely been responsible for gradual but consistent depletion of Sal forests in the state. Sal leaf was made a lease-barred item by the NTFP policy of March 2000 on grounds of sustainable forest management. The policy stated that Sal leaf collection on a commercial basis affected forest health and hence only in exceptional situations, government corporations and field outfits of Forest Department based on sound assessment of silvicultural scenario could be allowed to procure Sal leaves.
Though commercial exploitation of Sal leaf was the trade continued in a clandestine manner with government officials often conniving with businessmen. This happened on a largescale in districts like Mayurbhanj.
The policy obviously triggered resentment as it clashed directly with livelihood. Hence the focus shifted to finding a middle path whereby both livelihood and sustainability of forests could be protected. This was the path of controlled commercialisation.
Later restrictions on Sal leaf collection and trade were withdrawn locally in forest divisions like Baripada, Karanjia, Keonjhar and Nayagarh where Tribal Development Corporation and Odisha Forest Development Corporation were asked to procure Sal leaves through Van Suraksha Samitis.
Eversince there have been turns and twists in the story of sal leaf trade with private parties also playing a big role. What is important, however, is that forest dwelling tribals and even people residing close to the forests in districts like Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar have been making a living out of this trade. Even a factory for making plates out of sal leaves had been set up at a cost of Rs 20 lakh.
The trade, thus, has helped empower the tribal and opened an avenue for income generation. However, forest officials must ensure that the trade does not become an obstacle to forest protection and does not result in the degradation of forests. If that happens that will be an irreparable loss.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
“As per the 5Ts initiative of the Odisha CM, we are going to ban single-use plastics including water bottles, carry bags and other items from October 2,” said Arukh.
Arukh further stated that the government on September 12 has sought suggestions and objections from people within 15 days.
While addressing the nation on 73rd Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged citizens to stop single-use plastic and promote indigenous products.
It is pertinent to mention here that the State government in September 2018 issued an order banning use of certain plastic products in six cities in the territorial jurisdiction of five municipal corporations. The use of polythene bags, thermocol and similar plastic products was restricted in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri.
According to reports, the State government will enforce the ban on manufacturing, selling, trading, importing, storing, carrying, transporting and distributing with help of single-use plastics in all cities of the State from tomorrow.
Earlier, the State government had imposed the ban only in six cities- Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Puri in October last year.
Sources said that plastic bags with a thickness less than 50 microns and bottles with a larger size than 200 ml have also been banned.
Likewise, prohibition has also been imposed on single-use plastic items including plastic cups, plates, spoons, forks, bowls, glasses and pouches to store liquid objects. Thermocol decorative items also have been banned, informed the sources.
Secretary of the Forest and Environment department of the State government has asked the concerned officials to avoid the use of plastic items in their respective offices and ensure strict compliance of the rule by others in the State.
Sources, however, said that any organisation willing to prepare or use plastic bags that are of more than 50 microns can do so after getting prior permission from the Central Pollution Control Board.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged for ban on the use of plastic materials across the country for successful implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Bhubaneswar: There is some good news for environment-conscious people from Sambalpur where the district administration has decided to encourage the use of sal leaf products as a substitute for plastic disposables. Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been engaged to augment the production of sal leaf plates, in particular, as they are in high demand.
Efforts are being made by the administration to ensure that the prices of these SHG-produced items are less than those being manufactured by private entrepreneurs. The project, according to one newspaper report, was started on an experimental basis nearly six months ago as a collaboration between District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and Forest department. Now the administration is planning to scale up production and set up good marketing channels.
While forest department has provided equipment and training for the project DRDA has mobilised the SHG members and marketing will be their joint effort. Currently, more than 100 members from 22 SHGs, drawn from two villages under Rengali block of the district, are engaged in plate making.
The women trained by the forest department are manufacturing five different types of sal leaf products including bowls and trays which can be used on occasions like festival gatherings. There is no restriction on the number of plates or other items that a woman can make in a day. So the income of an SHG member engaged in the job would depend on the amount of labour she puts in.
This is an excellent initiative considering that sal leaf plates not only offer an eco-friendly substitute for plastic but they can also be a reliable source of income for SHG members. What is truly encouraging is that more and more district administrations are promoting the use of sal leaf products, another example being Keonjhar where officials took a decision a few months ago that ‘ khali’, as these leaf plates are popularly known in Odisha, would replace plastic plates.
Khali has been a part of socio-cultural life of people in Odisha, especially in the Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj belt where sal leaf plates are used during community feasts organised to mark festive occasions like ‘pujas’. In the rural areas, food even during marriage feasts is served on leaf plates which are easy to dispose of and completely environment-friendly as they are biodegradable.
However, the arrival of plastic took its toll on the ‘khali’ tradition and a part of the rural economy based on the sal leaf trade suffered badly. The majority at the receiving end comprised the tribals who have been using leaf plates since generations.
Sal leaves were a major source of income for tribals in districts like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh for deacdes. Plates and cups made out of these leaves after primary level processing provided livelihood security to hundreds and thousands of tribals who inhabit forest villages. So the urban bias towards plastic harmed the tribal economy no end.
It is heartening that with increased emphasis on the protection of environment and the consequent ban on the use of certain types of plastic sal leaf products are back in favour. The more the government promotes their use the better.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same)
Expressing his dissatisfaction over littering of the non-bio-degradable wastes in the area, the district Collector slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on each of them. He also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on owners of six other shops in the city for not dumping waste properly.
Apart from imposing fine, Kulange also urged the shop owners to use dustbins and keep the surroundings clean.
The enforcement team of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC), meanwhile, said to have collected fine from one of the liquor outlets.
“A total fine of Rs 2, 60,000 was imposed on eight shops including two liquor outlets by the district Collector himself for littering waste in the vicinity. Till now we have collected Rs 1 lakh from one of the liquor shops,” said Chakravarti Singh Rathore, Commissioner of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).
“Such inspection drive will continue in future also to make Berhampur a plastic-free and clean city in the State,” he added.
Despite ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) in all urban areas by the State government since October, 2019, people and shop owners have been found blatantly flouting the norms.
This is not the first time BeMC authorities have decided to go tough on litterbugs. A few weeks ago, collector Kulange took out an impromptu inspection with several other officials of the Chatrapur NAC and levied fines on several shops for flouting waste disposal rules. He had also slapped hefty fines on six shopkeepers in Annapurna market and SMT road in Berhampur for dumping their store garbage on road earlier in the month.