NGT ban on plastic carry bags: Hussain takes stock of progress

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has directed all officials concerned to enforce strict prohibition on the sale, storage and use of plastic carry bags, less than 50 micron, at shops and other establishments across the national Capital.

The direction came from Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain, while reviewing the progress of implementation of the ban on plastic carry bags in the city, at a meeting with senior officers of his Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

At the meeting, officers told the Minister that it has been decided that since August 16 all local bodies, District Magistrates and DPCC have been taking strict and immediate action towards implementation of directions of the National Green Tribunal.

Persons found in possession or using such plastic carry bags shall be liable to pay environment compensation of Rs 5,000 per default and the carry bags shall be seized at the spot.

To spread awareness about the Green Tribunal directions among the masses, Hussain also directed his Department to issue public notice in newspapers of different languages.

Five teams of DPCC officers have been deployed to ensure compliance with the order of the NGT and these teams reportedly started their work from August 18. The DPCC teams have so far found around five metric tonne of plastic carry bags less than 50 micron in size and further action as per law will be taken.

Hussain said that concerted and coordinated efforts are required to be taken on a regular basis by the various agencies charged with this responsibility, viz. municipal corporations, Revenue department, others along with Environment Department and DPCC.