Assam Cabinet Finalised Action Plan To Phase Out Single-Use Plastic, Proposes New Speed Limit

GUWAHATI: The Assam Cabinet took the major decision by giving its approval for a comprehensive action plan to get rid of single-use plastic in the state.

The Assam government also took decisions to fix the speed limits for vehicles in view of reducing accidents and allotments of land to indigenous SHGs.

In its priority of protecting the environment, the state government finalized the action plan to eliminate the use of plastic and to ensure compensatory afforestation.

The Cabinet meeting on Thursday was chaired by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who stated that the government also approved to plan a programme for the development of scientific and alternative disposal of plastic wastes.

The department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Forest Department, Industries and Commerce, Urban Development and Environment, Science and Technology will all together prepare a road map for the proposed project as per the Cabinet decision.

The chief minister took to Twitter to announce the proposed plan providing the list of key decisions that include ending single-use plastic menace, fixing speed limits, boost to Environment Conservation, upholding indigenous people's interest.

The action plan seeks to ban plastic carry bags less than 75 microns in thickness with effect from 30 September last year and carry bags less than 120 microns in thickness that will be effective from 31st December 2022.

It will also ban Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic flags, plastic sticks for balloons, ice cream sticks, candy sticks and thermocol used for decoration purposes including plastic glasses, cups spoons, invitation cards, cigarette packets among others.

In concern of the increasing accidents in Assam that are the result of overspending, the Cabinet informs that a notification for the speed limit on various types of roads and vehicles will be shared.

This initiative will minimize the risk of road accidents and streamline traffic movements. It is informed that before finalizing the draft notification, it will be provided for views and comments from the general public for 15 days.

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