Countdown for ban on polybags begins

SHIMLA, Dec 28: Countdown for the ban on coloured polythene bags has begun. As the ban is slated to come into force from January 1, 1999,...

SHIMLA, Dec 28: Countdown for the ban on coloured polythene bags has begun. As the ban is slated to come into force from January 1, 1999, Himachal Pradesh would become the first state in the country to introduce this pioneering measure.

Most of the traders, vendors and retailers in the urban hill towns have already switched over either to the paper bags or colourless polythene carry bags. The stockists and other dealers, who were selling coloured polythene carry bags 8211; made from the recycled plastic waste, have already cleared off their old stocks. Their request to grant 15-day time to dispose of pending stock was not accepted by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who insisted that ban must, by all means, become effective from the notified date i.e. January 1 next.

8220;All our ground level work is already over and stage is set for the ban to become operative uniformally in all urban towns as well as rural areas,8221; Chief Minister says. The teams sent in the districts for mass awarness and also to gear up official agencies, Dhumal informs, had received a very good response from the public.

The state government last week had issued a special notification, reiterating its resolve to implement the ban strictly. The person violating the ban would first be fined Rs 50 and then Rs 100 for each time.

Under the provisions of the HP Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act 1995, the violation of the ban would attract one month8217;s imprisonment besides a fine up to Rs 500 or both. Initially, the Act was made applicable only to the town of Shimla and Manali and covered only one aspect of littering of the used polythene bags. However, in September last, the government issued another notification extending ban to all municipal towns besides covering the use of the coloured polythene bags 8211; made out of recycled plastic waste.

Under its strategy to ensure that the ban becomes workable, the state government also involved the deputy commissioners, department of urban local bodies and some NGOs. A team of the scientists drawn from the Council for Science, Technology and Environment and Himachal Pollution Control Board, currently on tour of the districts, had held workshops at key-towns to make the people aware of the harmful effects of the polythene bags. 8220;Some of the chemicals used in the polybags even can cause cancer and sometime prove hazardous for the health,8221; says a senior scientific member of the team.

According to the officials, the use of the colourless polythene bags, however, has been kept out of the purview of the ban and actual target remains the coloured polythene bags, manufactured from the recycled plastic waste. 8220;We are also asking the people to switch over to the use of the paper bags, jute bags or conventional jholas,8221; Deputy Commissioner Sirmaur Rakesh Kaushal told ENS. In fact, some of the districts like Kullu, Una, Shimla and Sirmaur have already taken a lead in the measures to kick out the polythene bags menace.

Story continues below this ad

The district inspectors of Food and Supplies and Weights and Measure Department have also been empowered with powers to compound the offence.