Use of plastic bags, thermocol etc. banned in Hailakandi

August 7: A directive banning the use of plastic bags and other plastic items such as banners, buntings, flex, plastic spoons and cups, plastic flags and cling films was issued by the Hailakandi District Administration. Plastic sheets below 50 microns and products made of thermocol were also banned with immediate effect.

In this connection, District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli, issued an order wherein she stated that “No person, including shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader, hawker or salesman shall use plastic bags, plastic sheets and multilayered packaging less than 50 microns. Plastic cups with less than 60 mm in diameter and thickness less than 50 microns, short life PVC and all chlorinated plastic bags, sheets, banners, flex, buntings and plastic flags irrespective of thickness were also banned.”

Keerthi Jalli issued the order to SDOs (Civil), circle officers, assistant commissioners, executive officers and engineers of urban local bodies, officers of health, taxation, food and civil supplies, legal metrology departments and gaon panchayat secretaries within the jurisdiction of Hailakandi district. The orser stated that penalty for contravention of provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to five years or with fine or both.

However, plastic carry bags manufactured exclusively for export purpose by a plastic industry located in a Special Economic Zone or Export Oriented Unit were exempted. Apart from these, plastic bags and sheets used in forestry and horticulture nurseries and plastic bags or plastic used for packaging of medicines have also been exempted from the purview of the order.