Odisha govt to strictly enforce total ban on polythene in 6 cities from today

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to strictly enforce the total ban on use of polythene bags in six major cities of the state from today. The deadline for the use of polythene

The state government’s decision came as the month-long deadline of the awareness campaign against use of polythene and plastic bags ended yesterday.

Environment Director-cum-special secretary K Murugesan said the state government will strictly enforce the ban in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur Municipal corporations and Puri municipality from Thursday.

The Urban Development Department has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order and take stringent action against the defaulters.

Any trader and manufacturing unit is found selling banned polythene, they would be slapped with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and small trader would be penalised to the tune of Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000, said sources.

If the offence is repeated, then defaulters could face imprisonment from 5years to 7years, added the sources.

The state government had announced to ban use of plastic and polythene bags in the state from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

It had issued guidelines on the use of the plastics saying vendors will not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging.

Also Read:  Cyclone Titli: Central Team To Arrive In Odisha Today