Shopkeepers to pay penalty for using plastic bags in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to protect the environment by minimising use of polythene carry bags in the city, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) warned the shopkeepers to take action for using plastic bags.

Acting on the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the BMC has issued a notice asking the retailers and shopkeepers to strictly follow the rules.

The civic body asked them not to use or provide commodities to consumers in substandard polythene carry bags or plastic bags, which are not manufactured as prescribed under the rules.

As per the notification, the shopkeepers and retailers for using the polythene carry bags need to be registered with the BMC. They can apply online along with registration fee of Rs 4,000 per month or Rs 48,000 per year by January 30, 2018 in the form of online payment (Debit Card/ Credit Card/ Net Banking/UPI) .

In a notification the BMC said that the plastic carry bags should not be less than 50 micron in thickness. Action will be taken against the shopkeepers and retailers for violating the rules.

Sources in the BMC said that penalty will be imposed or action will be taken including cancellation of Trade Licence if the retailers or shopkeepers fail to comply by the deadline February 20, 2018.

The move will bring cheer among the environmentalists and others who oppose using polythene bags.