Tell students not to use plastic to cover books: Govt to schools

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has directed all schools in the national Capital to restrict students from using plastic covers for their notebooks or books. The order from the Environment department comes following the orders of the Delhi High Court banning the use of plastic bags and other such material.

"All principals are directed to ensure that students in their respective schools do not use any kind of plastic cover or film for their books or notebooks," said an order by the Directorate of Education (DoE).

"This is of immediate importance in view of the upcoming new academic session when students purchase new books and notebooks for their new class," it added.

Following certain grievances in this regard shared by environmental activists, the Delhi government's Environment department wrote to the DoE to issue a directive to schools.

Earlier, various green bodies had slammed the government for failing to implement plastic ban in the Capital. Last November, dissatisfied over the improper implementation of its plastic ban order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Delhi government and civic bodies to choose a particular market to make it plastic-free.

A bench headed by then NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the AAP government, three Municipal Corporations and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to sit together and select at least one market to implement the ban.

"Please tell us one market where you have banned plastic. All the figures you are giving are very good, but the authorities must implement it strictly. All of you decide on at least one market and make it plastic free," the bench said.

It also ordered the Delhi Police to provide assistance to the inspecting teams and listed the matter for next hearing on November 9.

In Delhi, all administrative agencies have taken various steps to fight against plastic pollution. Earlier this month, complying with the NGT orders, all the three MCDs penalised thousands of violators issuing challans for using plastic bags.

A penalty of Rs 5,000 as 'environmental compensation fine' was using plastic bags of thickness less than 50 microns.