Manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of more single-use plastic items listed
Mokokchung, April 25 (MTNews): In pursuance to Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, prohibiting identified Single-Use Plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential, the Government of Nagaland has imposed a “Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Nagaland” with a view to eradicate the menace of plastic and the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of plastics.
A Nagaland Government notification informed today that the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than 120 microns in thickness with effect from the 31st December 2022. The current permissible plastics is 75 microns.
Further, a non-woven plastic carry bag shall not be less than 60 Gram Per Square Meter (GSM) with effect from the 30thof September 2022, it was informed. Furthermore, the government also listed a number of new single use plastics that will be banned with effect from July 1, 2022. (See inset for details). “All other clauses mandated in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 should be strictly adhered to,” the notification informed.
All individuals, institutions, and commercial establishments (educational institutions, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, religious institutions/faith-based institutions, industrial establishments, banquet halls, etc.) and Central & State Government Departments / Agencies / Commissions / PSUs / Missions, etc. including Militaries/Paramilitaries in the State shall abide the aforesaid ban and any breach shall be liable for penalties, it was informed.
The District Administration & Sub-Divisional Administration/Urban Local Bodies shall decide and levy penalties against the defaulters in their jurisdiction.
A District Task Force already constituted in the respective districts shall strictly monitor and function as Squads for vigilance purposes and ensure the imposing of the ban on stocking, distribution, selling, and use of all single-use plastics below the permissible specification (microns and GSM) and stipulated timelines.
The ban on single-use plastics shall be made effective from the date of publication of this Notification in the Official Gazette in the entire State of Nagaland.