Civic bodies to conduct enforcement drives to ensure compliance with SUP norms

HYDERABAD, Telangana: Upon observing the continued use of single-use plastic (SUP) items in cities, especially in the informal sector like local shops and street vendors, the urban local bodies have decided to conduct enforcement drives in collaboration with the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) to ensure compliance with the plastic waste norms. The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department has also issued a circular regarding the drive.

The enforcement drive will involve surprise inspections of local shops, street vendors, wholesale markets, interstate borders, bus depots, industries, and railway stations. The drive will also scrutinise the producers, manufacturers, traders and retailers. The police force will be deployed wherever necessary during the enforcement drive.

The schedule of the enforcement drive will be finalised by the TSPCB in consultation with the MAUD department. The schedule has to be completed by the 25th of every month. Field inspections will be conducted via a mobile app, and reports on SUP compliance will be submitted to the monitoring portal. Report on instances of violation of norms by commercial establishments and industries and the action taken will be submitted to TSPCB. The report will also include details regarding the Plastic raw material supplier, SUP producer, and supplier of the SUP items.

TSPCB has also directed the municipal commissioner to form a district-level task force and conduct enforcement drives.