Civic bodies get one month to plan for plastic ban execution

PUNE: The local bodies in the state, including PMC and PCMC, just have one month to draw up a plan for effective implementation of the ban on plastic items within their jurisdiction, failing which they will face action.
This was revealed in the notification issued by the state government late on Friday night. Satish Gavai, additional chief secretary of the environment department, told TOI, “It is up to the civic bodies to decide on their plan of action within the stipulated period, after which they will face action by the state government.”



The notification also stated that the local bodies will be responsible for setting up recycling points for the banned items. “We will be holding discussions with all the local bodies to share all the details with them,” Gavai added.

Each local body and officer concerned have been directed to submit details of the work carried out till April 24 in this direction to the environment department. “They have also been told to give details about the action they would take from April 25 onwards,” Gavai added.

The Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018, also stated that consumers have time till April 24 to hand over their banned plastic products to authorized recyclers or local bodies to avoid fines.

Joint commissioner of PMC Suresh Jagtap said they will focus on increasing awareness among public and training their officials to implement the plastic ban. “The awareness drive will be held at ward level through the help of corporators, civic officials and NGOs,” Jagtap said.

The ban on plastic items includes plastic bags with/without handle and disposable products manufactured from plastic and thermocol (polystyrene), such as single-use disposable cutlery and items used to package food items. It has also banned the use of plastic and thermocol for decoration purposes.

The notification has been issued under the provisions contained in the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 2006.