The State administration on Friday swung into action to enforce the single-use plastic ban, targeting wholesalers and distributors in a bid to break the supply chain first. The drive also includes awareness creation among retailers on the dangers of plastic.
From mid-July onwards, campaigns will be held across the State to ensure the reduction and dependence on plastics.
With India celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken definitive steps to curb pollution caused by plastic litter. India has banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential.
Besides single-use plastic, banned items include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives), straws, trays, wrapping or packing film around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, and stirrers.
Meanwhile, Corporation of the City of Panaji had been running an awareness drive from the first week of June ahead of the plastic ban. A surveillance squad has been created to check the implementation, and fine accordingly.
