DC Cachar Laya Madduri bans use of plastic at Silchar

July 8: In a significant decision, Laya Madduri, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar banned the usage of plastic at Silchar, Assam. The decision was taken by the district administration for achieving ‘Plastic Free’ Silchar Town and implementation  of Acts and Rules related to Plastic Waste Management.

The Deputy Commissioner vide her letter No./CRC.46/2019/DDMA/40 dated 02-07-2019, stated that, “A massive awareness amongst ourselves is much needed, where we need to understand that the Single Use Plastic makes immense potential to pollute marine environment and spreads its harmful effect on marine ecosystem, biodiversity and potentially human health and also causes water logging in drains/canals especially during rain due to throwing of plastic.”

It is in this backdrop that in exercise of the powers confirmed under relevant sections of Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Rule I5 of Solid Waste Management Rules, the following items of single use plastic were banned at Silchar, which includes:

• plastic sheets/film used for food wrapping
• thermocol plates
• plastic coated paper plates and cups
• plastic tea cups and tumblers
• thermocol cups
• plastic straws
• water pouches/packets/PET plastic water bottle
• carry bags of all thickness
• plastic coated carry bags and plastic flags.

DC Cachar further stated that, “the ban on plastic should be taken seriously and we should help ourselves revive the damage that we are causing by damaging the environment.” The said letter by Laya Madduri was addressed to  The President/ Secretary/ Office Bearers, All Market Associations/ All Chamber of Commerce/All Merchant Association/ All Shopping Mall Owners/ All Hotel and Restaurant Owners & Associations/ All local Shops & Associations / All Marriage Hall Owners & Associations/ All event management Groups/ All vendors/All concerned/ All citizens of SiIchar.

The Deputy Commissioner urged upon all concerned to whom she has addressed this notification “to look into this matter seriously and abide by the rules laid down by District Administration, Cachar along with SMB & DDMA or you may he punishable under the Act laid down by the Government. On Non Compliance of the direction, Section 51 of Disaster Management Act. 2005 will be applicable.“