Ordinance to ban plastic in Uttar Pradesh passed

| | Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on Sunday promulgated the ordinance “UP Plastic and Other Bio Begradable (regulation of use and disposal) (Amendment) Ordinance 2018” banning the use of plastic in the State. Stringent penal provision has been added in the Ordinance which has amended the Legislation banning the use of plastic passed by the UP assembly in 2000.

As per the ordinance,   there is provision for one month imprisonment and maximum fine of Rs 10,000 for first offence. The second time offence the ordinance provides for 6 months imprisonment on conviction and fine of Rs 5,000 and maximum of Rs 20,000.

For manufacturers, sale , storage, transportation and distribution the ordinance provides for imprisonment of six months on conviction and minimum fine of Rs 10,000 and maximum o0f Rs 50,000.  For the second time offence the ordinance provides for imprisonment  for one year on conviction from the court  and minimum fine of Rs 20,000 which can go up to Rs One Lakh.

The promulgation of the amendment ordinance has paved the way for banning the use of different types of plastics  and its products plastic bag with thickness less 50 micron which are not bio degradable , polythene, nylon, PVC,  polypropylene, polystyrene  and thermocole.  The Legislation passed by the assembly in 2000 lacked penal provision against the use and disposal of the plastic and its various products. Besides causing huge financial burden on the state government in making arranging for the disposal of the plastic, it was the single biggest cause for the pollution in river, ponds, forest areas and water bodies.

The official sources said the polythene below 50 micron has been banned while from August 15 next, all plastics and thermocols including cup and plates would be banned. In the last phase from October 2, 2018, all type of plastic and polythene disposals would be banned.  The manufacture, transport, storage, distribution, packaging, import and export and sale of these plastic products will be banned in a phased manner.