UP directs immediate ban plastic bags below 50 microns

The Uttar Pradesh government has directed a ban on the use of plastic bags below 50 microns with immediate effect from July 15.

District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma held a meeting with various bodies including the Pollution Control Board, Lucknow Development Authority, the Excise Department, and market committee.

Gutkha sold in plastic pouches will be banned as well.

In order to create tobacco-free Lucknow, a campaign will be started to ban public smoking, open sale of cigarettes, gutkha, tobacco and others. The offenders will be fined Rs 100 to Rs 500.

In addition to that, there will be a ban on the selling of tobacco within 100 meters of schools and hospitals.

Also from August 14, the shopkeepers, keeping plastic bags above 50 microns, will have to pay Rs 4000 to the municipal corporation for using them. The magistrate has ordered to prohibit the use of thermocol after August 15.

The Department of Commerce will have a meeting with trade unions, where it will be made clear that their stock of plastic bags less than 50 microns will be confiscated after July 14. Any offender will be subjected to punitive investigation.

The municipal corporation has directed the zonal officers to ensure that all the shopkeepers follow the guidelines. Department of Food and Drug Administration has also asked all the food courts in malls and five-star hotels to remove all the plastic bags less than 50 microns.

The Uttar Pradesh government on July 6 announced a ban on the use of plastic bags in the state after July 14, 2018.

Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government had issued a notification, imposing a ban on the manufacture, use, sale and distribution of all plastic materials like plastic bags, spoons, plates, bottles and thermocol items.

Telangana government also instructed municipal bodies across the state against usage of plastic.