MPCB confiscates banned plastic products
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 17 2023:
Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) confiscated several banned single use plastic products below 120 microns including water bottles below 1 litre capacity during a drive launched in Imphal city area on Monday.
A shop has also been sealed during the drive for defying the government.
A team of MPCB officials led by its chairman MLA Usham Deben along with Imphal West district police carried out the drive in MG Avenue area in Thangal Keithel.
The officials seized several water bottles of 500 ml and 750 ml capacity along with single use plastic containers and bags below 120 microns from a popular rice hotel located near the approach road to MG Avenue from Kanglapat side.
Several polythene bags of below 120 microns were also seized from different shops, hotels and warehouses located in MG Avenue areas.
However, owner of a shop, which deals in plastic bags and containers, resisted the confiscation of banned products.
The officials found 70 per cent of the materials sold in the shop to be banned items.
Accordingly, the MPBC officials put the shop under lock and key.
Interacting with the media, MLA Deben said that the ban on certain single use plastic items was enforced for ensuring a safe environment for the future.
The board had already announced the renewed enforcement of the ban by giving a deadline of March 30 and the drive was conducted after the expiry of the deadline.
MPCB officials conducted similar drive in Moreh a couple of days ago and confiscated several items.
They will continue the drive in other parts of Imphal city and in other districts as well.
Legal actions will be taken up against shops found selling these banned items and people violating the prohibitory order are liable to pay a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh or jail term, he cautioned.
The chairman further expressed concern over clogging of drains and water bodies with plastic wastes, which has severely impacted the natural environment, and called for public support in stopping the irresponsible behaviour.
He also urged retail shops to refrain from using such banned plastic items.