Civic agencies to launch drive against use of plastic from Aug 16

In compliance to the National Green Tribunal order on the ban of plastic bags, the three civic agencies in city are going to launch an intensive drive against use and stock of plastic below 50 microns from August 16.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has drawn out an ‘action plan’ and after getting approval from all senior officials on Monday, it will be implemented. “The MCD would be targeting the users of plastic (below 50 microns) such as vendors and shopkeepers in markets, while the Delhi Pollution Control Commitee will be targeting the plastic manufacturing industries,” said a senior official from department of environment management services, North DMC.

As per the NGT’s direction, if anyone found in possession or uses non-biodegradable plastic bags less than 50 microns, shall be liable to pay ₹5,000 per default as environmental compensation. All the stocks of such plastic are to be seized in a week’s time.

“We will form teams under each deputy commissioner in six zones. They will spread awareness in two to three days and later, intensive challaning will start,” said the official.

The DPCC and public authorities/ local bodies have to file an affidavit by August 29 on how the directions issued by the tribunal are implemented.

The East DMC plans to start the enforcement from Monday (August 14) onwards. According to an EDMC official, there are certain modalities the department will need to work upon such as framing the ‘challan performa’. “Also we require some tool to ascertain the exact microns of plastic,” he added.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to start awareness drive about the harmful effects of using plastic below 50 microns.