Plastic ban: Centre seeks compliance report from Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: The Union government has sought report from the UT administration on compliance of plastic ban in the city.
In January, the UT had asked for report and some of the departments yet to submit their report. Sources revealed that the UT will soon submit its report to centre and also to National Green Tribunal (NGT).
As the NGT and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is keeping an eye on the disposal of plastic items and waste, the Chandigarh administration in 2019 had notified plastic ban in the city.
Last year, on the demand of manufacturers the UT administration had even removed three plastic items from the list of banned plastic items. The administration had kept plastic refill pouch having quantity less than 500ml; straws attached with tetra packs and multilayered packaging used for food/snacks packing under extended producer responsibility (EPR) instead of the ban list.
The UT administration in September 2019 had banned plastic plates, cups, party bloopers, plastic ribbons and many other single use plastic in the city. After getting approval of Punjab governor-cum-UT administrator VP Singh Badnore, it had issued the final notification to ban all one-time-use plastic products.
In July 2019, the UT had issued draft notification and sought suggestions and objections from public within 60 days. The committee had received around 32 objections, including from different resident welfare associations, traders and industrialist organisations.
The administration has taken the step after the NGT directed it to submit its action plan on systematic disposal of plastic waste. The NGT had ordered that any person found using, storing, purchasing, dealing with or distributing plastic bags, plastic plates or plastic glasses and such allied items shall be liable to pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs 5,000 per event.
Violators may face 5-yr jail
According to the September 2019 notification, no person, including shopkeepers, vendors, whole-sellers or retailers, shall manufacture, store import, sell transport, supply or use polythene/plastic carry bags. The offence will be punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to five years with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh or both.
Power/water supply to be snapped
Under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, any person/industry causing breach of the prohibition, may face stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.