Crackdown launched on banned plastic items
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2023:
A team led by Dr Usham Deben, Chairman, Manipur Pollution Control Board seized a large number of banned plastic items during a large-scale drive carried out across Imphal city today.
The team was also accompanied by personnel of Imphal West Police.
Around 1 pm today, the drive started off with the inspection of a Rice Hotel located at MG Avenue in Thangal Keithel wherein the team managed to seize 500 ml plastic water bottles.
Following this, the MPCB team seized various plastic items such as disposable plastic plates, glasses etc from 5/6 shops in Thangal Keithel and their godowns.
A shop selling banned plastic bags, plates and other such items was also shut down by the inspection team.
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The drive concluded at a water bottle factory at Dewlahland where the team seized preform bottles (an intermediate product that is subsequently blown into a plastic bottle) and bottles with less than 1 litre capacity.
Speaking in connection with the inspection drive, Dr Usham Deben told media persons that an appeal had been made at large to stop selling banned plastic items, namely, plastic carry bags that are less than 120 microns in thickness and water bottles with less than 1 litre capacity by March 30 .
The drive to seize banned plastic products was first started at Moreh, which is a hub of trade and hence one of the most important routes through which plastic products enter the State, he said.
He added that today's drive was carried out across Imphal city as a continuation of the drive conducted at Moreh.
Notably, the MPCB Chairman informed that stringent action will not be taken against those found violating the directive today.
However, any rule flouting that happens after this day will be fined with an amount of Rs 5 lakh along with other appropriate punishments.
As such, he appealed against the use and sale of the aforementioned plastic carry bags and water bottles which play a key role in degrading the environment.
The MPCB Chairman urged people to find other environmentally friendly alternatives to replace plastic.
He also assured that the State Government is prepared to undertake all possible measures in this regard.