Chandigarh, February 12
The administration has invited objections from the public on the use polythene bags in the city. A draft notification has been issued and objections can be made in writing to the secretary environment, Chandigarh administration, within 60 days. A final notification will be issued after members of the public had expressed their objection.
The draft notification says the Administration intends to declare the entire area of Union Territory of Chandigarh as "the polythene/plastic carry bag-free area".
This decision was made after it was found that the ban on the manufacture, sale, store, import, transportation and use of polythene/plastic carry bags of thickness less than 30 microns and of size less than 8"x12", had not worked and the expected results have not been achieved.
Polythene carry bags are non-biodegradable, choke drains and sewerages and pollute soil, water and air. The polythene bags are also being used to deliver food-stuffs and may cause the toxic affect.
The Administration has opined that the use of polythene carry bags is detrimental to the environment and the health of human beings as well as animals.
The bags and ancillary products are grossly responsible for blockage of gutters, sewers and drains resulting in serious environmental problems.
The Administration now plans that no person, including a shopkeeper, vendor, whole seller or retailer, trader, hawker or rehriwala will use polythene carry bags for supply of goods.
The following officers will implement the ban: The DC, the director, Environment, all SDMs, joint commissioner-I & II, Municipal Corporation, district food and supply officer, inspectors, food and supply department, medical officer, health, Municipal Corporation, sanitary inspectors in the office of the medical officer health and food inspectors of health department.