Sale and use of polythene bags banned in Dibrugarh

From a Correspondent

Dibrugarh, October 27: The District Magistrate, by an order, issued on October 26, has promulgated Section 144 of the Crimil Procedure Code (CrPC) in the entire district, banning the sale and use of certain types of plastic and polythene bags with immediate effect.

The rampant use of plastic bags and polythene has not only adversely polluted the surroundings but causes environmental imbalance as well as disrupts the draige water flow. The order has barred use of carry bags which are not made of virgin plastic less than 50 microns. Recycled and biodegradable plastics are not to be used in carrying, distribution and packing of food. However, use of recycled or biodegradable plastics for other purposes should maintain the standard prescribed under IS 98331981 of Indian Standard Bureau.

The carry bag, containers, pouch and other multi-layer package made of recycled and biodegradable plastic are banned if the latter fails to maintain the standard, prescribed under  IS/ISO17083:2008 of Indian Standard Bureau. The DM order has also completely prohibited lamited plastic, pouch and other similar plastic materials which are not fit for recycling .

Violation of such order in any form by any individual is liable to be punished under section 188 of Indian Pel Code, a DIPRO press communiqué stated. 

Similar orders with regard to prohibiting the use and sale of polythene and plastic bags were issued earlier also, yet their applicability yielded no result as polythene bags never went out of the market and people are still using polythene bags to carry food commodities from the market.