Nagaland State govt restricts use of plastics from Dec 1

November 29, 2018 466 Views No Comment

Naga Republic News

The Urban Development Department in a notification stated that Consequent upon the approval of the Cabinet in its meeting dated 26th November 2018 communicated vide O.M. NO.CAB-2/2013(Pt) dated 27.11.2018, the Government of Nagaland has notified herewith the Policy for Restricting the Use of 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 as mentioned below with immediate effect:

1. All single use plastics less than 50 microns, specially plastic bags and plastic cutleries including Styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates will be banned with effect from 1st December 2018.

2. Government offices will stop using packaged drinking water bottles, below 20 litres capacity, by 1st April 2019. Alternatives like filtered water dispensers and RO plants will be introduced. Government servants will be encouraged to carry reusable drinking water bottles.

3. Alternatives to plastic bags will be promoted and popularized. These would include cloth, jute, paper bags, bamboo and leaf plates and cutleries.

4. A taskforce will be set up in each district that will include Government officials, NGOs, Church leaders to devise local strategies and build awareness for Plastic Free environment.

5. Village Councils and Municipal bodies will be sensitised to take proactive action for discouraging use of plastics in their jurisdiction.

6. Local Bodies can decide on the issue of levying penalties for continued use of single use plastics in their jurisdiction.

7. Incentives will be provided to entrepreneurs investing in production of paper bags and cloth bag making units, disposable bio-degradable cutlery from areca nut leaves, setting up of water ATMs in public places, plastic shredding units for recycling of plastics etc.

8. Necessary steps will be taken for banning plastic straws by 1st January 2020. This would require ensuring manufacturers of juices, coffee etc. start adopting alternatives to single use plastic straws.

(Source: DIPR)