Rajasthan News

JMC and RSPCB issues notices against plastic use

by RajasthanDirect
Apr 07, 2013

After the Supreme Court observation that the country “is sitting on a plastic waste bomb” and issued notices to Jaipur municipal commissioner and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) over the issue, state departments concerned are passing the buck as to which of them is responsible for curbing the generation of plastic waste.

On the apex court observation made on Tuesday, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) claimed that it lacks sufficient staff for effectic implementation of the ban on polythene bags in the state. The RSPCB and the industry department are quite firm on the authority responsible to check the plastic menace saying the onus lies with civic authorities and district administration.

“JMC has a limited role in prohibiting the plastic use. We are only authorized to produce challans and seize the plastic bags if they are in use. Drives are being carried out from time to time. But we are a bit short on staff so we can’t press our whole manpower into it. Also plastic should be banned from it genesis. Manufacturers should be discouraged and penalized for it,” said JMC commissioner Jagroop Yadav.

There is a complete ban on manufacturing, storage, import, sale and transport of plastic bags in the state from August 2010. Any infringement of the notification was to attract prosecution under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, which prescribes imprisonment for five years or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh or both. Recurrence of the offence would lead to a penalty of Rs 5,000 a day.

Interestingly, no penalty has been imposed on a single offender since the ban was placed by the JMC or Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB). And even after the ban, 10-15% of the waste out of total 1000-12000 metric tonnes generated from Jaipur each day is in form of pure plastic.

“It is not fair to say that plastic ban is not successful. In fact organized retailers and big shopkeepers have completely stopped giving plastic bags. But a large number of hawkers and small grocery shops are still a concern. Also, one can get away as plastic is used in so many things. What is needed is proper management, recycling and treatment of it,” an RSPCB official said.

JMC claims that it is increasing its treatment capacity which at present is limited to just 350-400 MT per day. “We are about to invite tender for two plants with a capacity of 400 metric tones,” Yadav said.

Observing plastic waste generated in the country as “frightening” situation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to Jaipur Municipal Commissioner and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. However, for the disheartening situation of plastic waste, despite ban on polythene bags, the concerned departments are passing the buck.

The Jaipur Municipal Corporation claims that it lacks sufficient staff for effective implementation of plastic ban. While RSPCB and industry department asserts that civic authorities and district administration shares the responsibility to check the menace.

“JMC has a limited role in prohibiting the plastic use. We are only authorized to produce challans and seize the plastic bags if they are in use. Drives are being carried from time to time. But we are bit short on staff so can’t press our whole manpower into it. Also plastic should be banned from it genesis. Manufacturers should be discouraged and penalized for it” said Jagroop Yadav, commissioner, JMC.

There is a complete ban on manufacturing, storage, import, sale and transport of plastic bags in the state from August 2010. Any infringement of the notification was to attract prosecution under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, which prescribes imprisonment for five years or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh or both. Recurrence of the offence would lead to a penalty of Rs 5,000 a day.

Interestingly, no penalty has been imposed on a single offender since the ban was placed by the JMC or Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB). And even after the ban 10-15% of the waste out of total 1000-12000 metric tonnes generated from Jaipur each day is in form of pure plastic.

“It is not fair to say that plastic is not successful. In fact organized retailers and big shopkeepers have completely stopped giving plastic bags. But a large number of hawkers and small grocery shops are still a concern. Also one can’t get away plastic as it is used in so many things. What is needed is proper management, recycling and treatment of it” said the official from RSPCB.

JMC claims that it is increasing its treatment capacity which at present is limited to just 350-400 MT per day. “We are about to invite tender for two plants with capacity of 400 metric tonnes” added Yadav.

src: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-07/jaipur/38345347_1_plastic-ban-plastic-bags-plastic-waste

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