From July 1, the Nagpur district government will institute a comprehensive ban on the usage, sale, and manufacture of single-use plastic (SUP). A meeting of the District-level Task Force (DLTF) was held at the Collectorate to impose the stringent prohibition on SUP.
Vijaya Bankar, Resident Deputy Collector, presided over the meeting. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCBSub )’s Regional Officer, Anand Katole, and other officials were in attendance.
After the discussion, Bankar gave officials orders to establish a rigorous SUP ban in the district and inflict substantial fines on manufacturers and users beginning July 1.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to State Pollution Control Board, for assessment of phasing out the use of SUP in which it was directed to identify major commercial establishments, create awareness in identified entities and direct them to take necessary
actions, cancel the commercial license to major stockists, retailers, sellers and commercial establishments.
Following the same, the DLTF conducted the meeting and discussed options to phase out SUP.
District Collector is the Chairman of the DLTF.
Nagpur Municipal Commissioner, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer, Chief Officers of Municipal Councils, Block Development Officers, Executive Officers of MIDC, Education Officer, District Tourism Officer, District Information Officer, Regional Officer, Sub Regional Officer of MPCB are the members.
The task force is responsible to prepare compre-
hensive action plan for implementation of plastic
waste management rule and phasing out of SUPs with identified activity and timeline. It will also conduct meeting with stakeholders to promote alternative of SUP in the district. It will also
develop strategy for building a strong public movement for mitigation of plastic pollution by involving educational institutions such as schools, colleges, universities, NCC, NSS, Scouts,Youth Clubs, Eco Clubs, etc. with detailed action plan in this regard.