Bhubaneswar: August 09: Following Governments’ decision to impose the ban on plastic use from 2nd October, 2018 as announced by Hon’ble Chief Minister, the process has been expedited to bring out specific notification in the matter. A high level meeting to this effect was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi in secretariat conference hall today wherein Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra outlined various dimensions of the proposed notification. As per announcement of the Chief Minister, It was decided to frame specific notification banning use of plastic and harmful thermocol in five Corporations areas and heritage town of Puri.
Considering present situation and various suggestions, Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed to promote wider social acceptance against use of plastic through intensive Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities at each ULB level. Sri Padhi also directed to make proper arrangement for collection of plastics and other polythene wastes in different localities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri ULBs. Develoment Commissioner Sri Balakrishnan advised to enforce the provisions through concerted action, imposition of fines and booking of judicial proceedings.
It was decided to finalize the provisions of the notification within two weeks and hoist it in public domain inviting suggestions and objections. Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed to incorporate all suggestions so received in preparing the final draft and place it for Government approval by mid September, 2018.
The themes like adverse impact of indiscriminate use and mismanagement of plastic waste, exiting plastic and harmful thermocol waste management, observations of High Court in the matter, exiting provisions for enforcement of the law, methods and strategies to enforce the proposed notifications etc were deliberated in the meeting. Senior officers of different departments and experts present in the meeting put forth their considered views. It was decided bring out the notification using the powers vested with State Government under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The experts opined to ban the use of carry bags and single use plastics as well as thermocol in the first phase as these are rampantly used in ULBs.
Development Commissioner Sri R. Balakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Sri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Sri Saurabh Garg, Principal Secretary Panchayati Raj Sri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Secretary Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Sri Vishal Gagan, Director Environment Dr K. Murugesan, Special Secretary Home Smt Santosh Bala along with other senior officers from respective departments and agencies participated in deliberations.
