Dispur mulls polythene ban in Guwahati again

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Feb 9: Guwahati Development Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said in the Assembly that the government is considering banning polythene in Guwahati.

Replying to a question in the House, Guwahati Development minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government is concerned about the environmental impact of polythene.

“We have also planned to levy an environmental tax on use of polythene,” Sarma said.

“We had banned polythene earlier, but we could not sustain it in the High Court and it was stayed. After that, some other states have also banned it and have been able to sustain it in the High Court,” he said.

Sarma said that the Assam government will examine the documents from these states to prepare a prohibitory order again for polythene in Guwahati so that this time the decision can withstand the court. Relying to a question by AGP MLA Satyabrata Kalita on charging Rs 5 or Rs 10 by the shopping malls in the city against carry bags, Minister Sarma said, “I will discuss the matter with Chief Secretary whether such charge can be made by shopping malls and will take steps accordingly,” Sarma said.