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| Dibrugarh University Campus, Assam, India (courtesy: Students of DU) |
The district administration in Dibrugarh, Assam, has banned the use of carry bags and containers made of virgin plastic in natural shades by an order with immediate effect.
The order passed under section 144 of CrPC states that no person shall use carry bags or containers made of recycled plastic or biodegradable plastic for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging of food stuffs. The violation of the order shall be punishable under the provisions of Section 188 IPC and under the relevant provision of laws.
The District Magistrate Pallav Gopal Jha, while issuing the order, stated that large scale use of coloured plastic bags/polythene carry bag made of virgin /or recycled plastic of minimum thickness are polluting the environment in an irreparable manner and giving rise to ecological imbalance leading to various diseases among the people.
He added that sale and use of carry bags made of recycled plastic for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging of food stuff is most harmful and unscientific and if the sale and usage of such plastic bags are not prohibited, it may endanger public life.
As per the order, “No person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic or bio-degradable plastic, which are less than 12 x 18 inches (30 x 45 cms) in size and less than 50 microns in thickness’.
According to the order, “Carry bags and containers made of recycled or biodegradable plastic and used for purpose of other than storing and packaging food stuffs shall be manufactured using pigments and colour and as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications: IS 9833, 1981 entitled ‘List of pigment and colorants for use in plastic in contact with food stuff pharmaceuticals and drinking water’.”
