Day 2: 1.5 qtl plastic seized, fines imposed
LUCKNOW: Teams of municipal corporation, administration and pollution control board, with assistance from the police, continued the drive against polythene on Monday.
In Lucknow, the teams inspected several places across eight zones and seized over 1.5 quintal plastic (below 50 microns). Fine was imposed on people found using polythene.
“The inspection was conducted by separate teams headed by officers of LMC. They checked shops, vendors and other business establishments during the drive,” said Indermani Tripathi, municipal commissioner.
The teams also informed traders about the hazards of plastic. “We also urged people to reduce the use of plastic to save the environment,” said the officer.
The drive against plastic was launched across UP on the direction of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. As planned by the government, the administration will first curb the use of plastics less than 50 microns, which primarily includes carry bags. In the next phase to be launched next month, the administration will target other plastic products like singleuse utensils made of plastic. The government has planned to impose a complete ban on plastic products from October 2.
Though similar drives have been launched in the state earlier, the present government seems to ensure its success this time. An ordinance, which was cleared by the governor on Sunday, will also help in ensuring this. The ordinance allows authorities to punish anyone with imprisonment of one month and fine up to Rs 1,000 for firsttime offence. The punishment and fine increases for repeat offenders. Apart from the sale and use of plastic, authorities also plan a complete ban on its manufacture. Reportedly, around a dozen illegal plants in Lucknow manufacture polybags, disposable cutlery and other items which have been made illegal with implementation of the ban.
The pollution control board is planning to launch a drive specifically against such plants. “We have invited information from public about such plants to take punitive action against them,” said Dr Ram Karan, regional officer of UP Pollution Control Board. “At least 14 such units have already been shut by our department in Lucknow district,” he added.