Odisha: Polythene Ban Effective Nov 1

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha ban on the use of polythene and plastic bags comes into force in the six urban local bodies Thursday. Raids are being conducted by implementing angencies of the government at several trading establishments, roadside shops and godowns, hotels, restaurants and fast food joints.

Instructions have been given to Urban and Housing Development and the Environment departments and the civic body officials to conduct  raids on a regular basis in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur municipal corporations and Puri Municipality.

Any unit in these six cities are found manufacturing these banned items would be slapped a penalty of Rs 1 lakh and a jail term of 5-7 years, while the small traders would be fined Rs 3000, Rs 5000 and Rs 7000 depending on the volume of their sale.

However, blood transfusion bags, plastics used in plant nurseries, agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, medicines, plastic and polythene having more than 50 microns, plastic bags having 20 percent reusability, water bottles having more than 500 ml capacity and thermocol used for transportation of electronic goods are exempted.