By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following reports of gross violation of the ban imposed on use of plastic carry bags being reported from certain localities of the city, the Urban Affairs Department has reiterated that stringent legal action will be taken against the violators.
The State Government has decided to make Meghalaya a plastic-free State, with a complete ban on plastic carry bags from Sunday last.
But however, there were clear violations of the order on Monday as many people were seen violating the orders of the State Government.
Meanwhile, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has stated that the ban, which came into effect on January 1, 2006, could not be implemented properly in the past owing to certain loopholes in the methods adopted last time.
However, this time the ban would be imposed strictly and any violation would be dealt with firmly, she reiterated, while adding, “Once I start my inspection I will ensure that legal actions are taken against violators.”
However following the enforcement of the ban, plastic traders in the city complained that they were at a loss on the directives of the Government over which category of plastic had been banned.
One such plastic trader said, “I want to know the exact categories of plastics which we can sell.”
Reacting to a query on the confusion among the plastic traders, Ampareen asserted that the traders need not be bothered as it was the responsibility of the distributors and producers to ensure that they only the permissible plastic types are brought into the market.
“The traders should not worry about the microns as the producers must issue them only the permissible plastics for business,” she added.
The minister also attempted to douse the concerns of the people over the exact meaning of the ban, saying that a fresh ban order was not needed since the ban was already in place. “The department is only enforcing the previous orders which were not complied with in the past.”