SHILLONG: The Additional District Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat has issued an order banning use of plastic bags in the district.
The magistrate promulgated the order under section 144 CrPC prohibiting manufacturing, stocking, distributing or selling any plastic carry bags which is less than 50 microns in thickness, colorants for use in plastic in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water. Besides, carry bags made of recycled plastic or products made of recycled plastic shall not be used for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging ready-to-eat or drink food stuff, it said.
The order also states that every retailer or street vendor selling or providing commodities in plastic carry bags or multilayered packaging or plastic sheets or like covers made of plastic sheets, which are not manufactured or labelled or marked in accordance with these rules, shall be liable to pay fines as specified under the bye- laws of the local bodies in the entire district.
The order shall come into force with immediate effect until further orders.
