Plastic Policy toothless, chair tussle dogs MPCB
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2022: Even though the state government had banned certain types of single use plastics from July 1 onwards under Manipur Plastic Policy 2022 following strong directive from the Centre, these banned plastic products are flooding the local market again even as a game of throne has emerged within the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for the post of chairman.

A couple of months back, the government had implemented Manipur Plas tic Policy 2022 and banned certain types of single used plastics.

However, many of the banned products like half litre packaged drinking water bottles, disposable glasses, thin polythene bags, disposable plates among others could be seen sold freely in the market.

Short ly after the announcement of the ban, these products were not available in the market and shops began to use bags made of clothes or paper.

However, compliance with the prohibition lasted hardly two months as these banned products are now available in the market as usual.

Unfortunately, the state government is turning a blind eye.

MPCB, which is the implementing authority of the policy and ban on single use plastics, is doing nothing to enforce the ban effectively.

One of the reasons behind the inactivity of the board is the ongoing battle for the post of chairman of the board.

The state government appointed the then MLA of Oinam assembly constituency L Radhakishore as the chairman of the board on July 30, 2021.As per the rules and regulations of the board, the tenure of the chairman is three years and the ex-MLA has till July 2024 before vacating his office.

On the other hand, the second term of Biren government appointed seyeral BJP MLAs, who could not get ministerial berth, as chairmen of different boards and corporations.

Among them was Wabagai MLA Usham Deben, who was appointed as chairman of MPCB by the present government.

Consequent to the appointment of MLA Usham Deben, L Radhakishore filed a petition in the High Court of Manipur and the court quashed the appointment of MLA Deben.

Despite the court order, MLA Deben is reportedly occupying the office of the chairman of MPCB located at Lamphelpat, Imphal now.

As a result of the battle, staffers of the board are in a position, in which they are unable to figure out whose order they should follow to carry out the activities of the board.

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