Polythene use might land you in jail
10 July 2012 12:57 AM GMT
In a bid to curb ever-rising polythene usage in the city, Delhi government is likely to discuss the use of plastic bags and revise the penalty imposed.
Sources said the cabinet might increase the penalty imposed on violators in a bid to improve environment, apart from ensuring that plastic bags do not clog drains in the city during monsoon.
The cabinet is planning to take some strict measures to get rid of this menace. Those found carrying groceries or other items from the market in plastic bags or using them to dispose of the garbage, would run the risk of a jail term or a fine, or both.
The Delhi government, in 2009, imposed a complete ban on the use of plastic bags in the capital.
The ban follows a Delhi High Court order based on the Chopra Committee report. As per section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, the complaint against a violator has to be made by the government or by a private person who has given a 60-day notice to the government.
At present, violators face action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, where they face imprisonment of up to five years and or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The ban on polythene usage covers all shopping areas, big eating joints, hotels and hospitals.
However, bags with thickness of 40 microns and more are allowed under the current ban. Official sources said since it’s difficult to measure the thickness on the spot, the government wants to discourage the use of bags completely and hence wants complete ban and stricter penalties.
Meanwhile, the issue of recent increase in the CNG rates would be another matter, which the cabinet would discuss in their next meeting which is slated for this week. The government would discuss the increase in auto fares and Delhi Transport Corporation bus fares as auto-rickshaw unions are threatening to go on strike if the government does not rollback the recent hike in CNG prices or increase auto fares.
Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh members would also meet transport minister Arvinder Singh Lovely this week and send a representation for rollback to chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
Sources said the cabinet might increase the penalty imposed on violators in a bid to improve environment, apart from ensuring that plastic bags do not clog drains in the city during monsoon.
The cabinet is planning to take some strict measures to get rid of this menace. Those found carrying groceries or other items from the market in plastic bags or using them to dispose of the garbage, would run the risk of a jail term or a fine, or both.
The Delhi government, in 2009, imposed a complete ban on the use of plastic bags in the capital.
The ban follows a Delhi High Court order based on the Chopra Committee report. As per section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, the complaint against a violator has to be made by the government or by a private person who has given a 60-day notice to the government.
At present, violators face action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, where they face imprisonment of up to five years and or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The ban on polythene usage covers all shopping areas, big eating joints, hotels and hospitals.
However, bags with thickness of 40 microns and more are allowed under the current ban. Official sources said since it’s difficult to measure the thickness on the spot, the government wants to discourage the use of bags completely and hence wants complete ban and stricter penalties.
Meanwhile, the issue of recent increase in the CNG rates would be another matter, which the cabinet would discuss in their next meeting which is slated for this week. The government would discuss the increase in auto fares and Delhi Transport Corporation bus fares as auto-rickshaw unions are threatening to go on strike if the government does not rollback the recent hike in CNG prices or increase auto fares.
Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh members would also meet transport minister Arvinder Singh Lovely this week and send a representation for rollback to chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
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