Awareness campaign on "Ban of SUP" held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

Bishnupur, July 08 2022: District Administration Bishnupur in association with Urban Local Bodies and District Level Officers today organised an "One Day Mass Awareness Campaign on Ban of Single Use Plastics (SUP)" at Bishnupur Bazaar.

The awareness campaign was conducted in line with Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022 for effective management of plastic waste and complete elimination of SUP in the State.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Lourembam Bikram stated that a District Level Task Force has been constituted to coordinate the implementation of the Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022 at grassroots level.

The DC informed that the ban which will be enforced from 1st August covering sale, use, distribution, stocking, manufacturing and import of SUP.

He cautioned that defaulters could be prosecuted and penalties would be imposed as permissible under law which may extend to five years imprisonment including a fine upto Rs 1 lakh.

Lourembam Bikram emphasized on the use of jute and bags made out of clothes as an alternative to polythene bags.

Stating that Bishnupur is one of the main tourist hotspots of the State, the DC said, "It is important to maintain cleanliness in the district by abandoning the use of SUP" .

He also discouraged the use of SUP items such as plates, cups, glasses, cutleries and wrappers or packing films to avoid littering in the tourist spots.

Announcing that similar awareness drives on SUP ban would be carried out in different markets of the district, Lourembam Bikram urged all to cooperate and support the campaign in the interest of the environment and future generation.

SP Bishnupur, N Herojit stated that the hazards of plastic far outweighs the convenience of using them.

Later, Lourembam Bikram; N Herojit; Chairperson, Bishnupur Municipal Council, L Maniyaima Singh; ADM, H Bobby Sharma; SDO Moirang, L Rishikanta and DLOs walked through the streets of Bishnupur Bazaar distributing cloth carry bags and interacted with shop owners, market vendors and their customers.

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