Monday, June 25, 2018

No one fined for using plastic bags in 3yrs: RTI

Times of India: Gurgram: Monday, June 25, 2018.
A gigantic mound of used plastic bottles spotted recently near Basai wetland had drawn sharp reactions from environmentalists, who squarely blamed civic authorities for violating rules laid down by the Supreme Court with regard to plastic waste management.
Though the waste was removed from the area after media reports, records available with MCG suggest the city has, in fact, been sitting on a ticking bomb for a while now in the absence of any concerted efforts to check rampant use of plastic.
In a reply to an RTI petition, MCG has informed that no individual, entity or company has been penalised for using plastic bags in the past three years a revelation that underlines the lack of efforts to enforce a ban on non-compostable plastic in the city.
Interestingly, Haryana was one of the first states to ban sale, manufacturing and use of plastic bags in the country in 2011. The ban was followed up by various directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other environmental bodies. In 2014, the district administration also announced a ban on use of most forms of plastic bags and trading in them.
In August 2017, the NGT had announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found to be carrying a ‘thin’ plastic bag (less than 50 microns of thickness). The green tribunal also imposed an interim ban on the use of such plastic bags. Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, plastic bags less than the prescribed thickness are already prohibited.
“Everybody knows that plastic bags less than 50 microns of thickness are not permitted. But they are still used widely in market places, by traders and common people as well as companies. Recently, the authorities made tall claims (on the occasion of World Environment Day celebrated on June 5) to eliminate plastic. But in reality, they did not impose any penalty (for violating plastic ban) on anyone since January 2015. It shows the authorities are not serious enough to ban plastic in Gurugram,” alleged Aseem Takyar, who had filed the RTI application.
According to experts, non-compostable plastic bags pose a major threat to the environment. “Non-compostable plastic bags not only choke water bodies and drains but also release hazardous gases when burnt, resulting in air pollution. Besides, plastic bags, discarded at landfills, produce harmful toxins, leading to soil and water pollution,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, a resident, who has been protesting against use of plastic bags.
“While many states (like Maharashtra) are implementing strict ban on plastic bags, the authorities in Gurugram have not even fined anyone yet. It clearly reflects on their intent and priorities,” he added.
On June 5 (this year), officials of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) distributed 10,000 eco-friendly bags among consumers at various markets and spread awareness to reduce usage of plastic bags. But, the move hardly made any difference on the ground people can still be seen using prohibited plastic bags, materials.
“MCG is the nodal agency for implementation of a notification issued under the garbage act (in 2013) to check use of plastic. This apart, 16 officers from different departments are authorized to keep a check on plastic bags under this notification,” said an official from HSPCB, passing the buck to other departments.
Despite several calls and messages, MCG commissioner Yashpal Yadav didn’t respond.