In a move aimed to protect environment, Chhattisgarh Government has decided to ban the use of plastic carry bags in the state.
This order to this effect would be implemented from January 1, 2015, a state government spokesperson said. The urban administration and development department had issued draft notification in connection with the decision.
The department officials said that the draft notification was published on October 30 and the state government had invited objection and suggestions from the people before finalizing it. The officials said the state government was committed to entertain the objections and suggestions received in this connection.
In the draft notification, the state government underlined that the plastic carry bag causes both short-term and long-term environmental damage and health hazards. It is observed that that plastic carry bags causes blockages in drains and gutters, leading to serious environmental problems, the officials said.
"Exercising the power bestowed to the state and relevant sections of the notification concerned issued by Ministry of Forest and Environment on February 10, 1988, Chhattisgarh Government had decided that no person including shopkeepers, retailers, wholesalers, traders, vendors etc, could now use plastic carry bags," the officials said.
The state government had also decided to ban manufacturing, storing, importing, selling and transportation of plastic carry bags in Chhattisgarh. The notification referring words 'plastic' and 'carry bags' shall have the same meaning as defined under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
