Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is soon going to issue a specific notification to impose a ban on the use of plastic in six major cities of the state.
Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat conference hall in this regard today.
Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Suresh Chandra Mohapatra outlined various dimensions of the proposed notification.
As per announcement made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, it was decided to frame specific notification banning the use of plastic and harmful thermocol in five corporations – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur – areas and heritage town of Puri.
Considering the present situation and various suggestions, the Chief Secretary directed to promote wider social acceptance against the use of plastic through intensive Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities at each ULB level.
He also directed to make proper arrangement for collection of plastics and other polythene wastes in different localities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri ULBs.
During the meeting it was decided to finalise the provisions of the notification within two weeks and hoist it in public domain inviting suggestions and objections.
The Chief Secretary directed to incorporate all suggestions received in preparing the final draft and place it for government approval by mid-September.
The themes like the adverse impact of indiscriminate use and mismanagement of plastic waste, existing plastic and harmful thermocol waste management, observations of High Court in the matter, existing provisions for enforcement of the law, methods and strategies to enforce the proposed notifications were deliberated in the meeting.
Notably, the Chief Minister had on July 10 said that ban on plastic will be imposed in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur and Sambalpur municipal corporations and Puri town from October 2 in the first phase.
Ms Kalinga