UP: Strict ban on use of polythene bags and plastic items from today

A fine up to Rs. 50,000 can be charged from the defaulters.

Representational image/ Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: After Maharashtra, now UP government has implemented a stringent ban on the use of polythene bags and items of common use made of plastic in the entire state from Sunday. The Yogi government will soon be coming up with an enactment to prevent the use of plastic which are less than 50 microns. A fine up to Rs. 50,000 can be charged from the defaulters. Last week, CM’s office had released a message in which the CM had appealed that after July 15, plastic cups, glasses and polythene should not be used at any level. When contacted, officials said the modalities of the ban were being worked out and the concerned department has been asked to submit a blueprint as soon as possible, after which a meeting will be held with the chief minister. Details were being worked out to ensure that the ban can be enforced effectively, officials said. Plastic has been banned earlier in the state, but the prohibition on its use has not been implemented effectively so far. In December 2015, when the Akhilesh Yadav government was in power, the state Cabinet decided on an absolute ban on distribution, manufacture and sale of plastic and polythene bags with a thickness of more than 40 microns. However, by January 2016 many areas, including Noida on Delhi's outskirts, had failed to adhere to the guidelines and the ban could not be implemented seriously. The chief minister made the initial announcement earlier in the day in Barabanki while addressing a `van mahotsav'."We have issued an order banning use of plastic in the entire state from July 15," he had said there. The UP government's latest move comes within days of a similar ban coming into effect in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra government announced on March 23 a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as bags, spoons, plates and PET bottles. The ban in that state came into effect on June 23, but the government later eased some of the restrictions. (With inputs from PTI)