Rajasthan to ban single-use plastic from July 1

JAIPUR: Rajasthan will join the nation-wide ban on single use plastic from July 1. Commonplace items like plastic sticks, cups, glasses, plates, etc will now not be allowed to use. Those violating the rules will be penalised financially, face suspension of license or imprisonment.

The ban is in line with the new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021, which aims to prohibit single-use plastic items. Departments of Environment, Urban Development and Housing will enforce the ban by spreading awareness, closing manufacturing units and imposing penalties on violators. As per the sources, penalties will be Rs 500, Rs 1000 and Rs 2000 for first, second and third offences respectively; while for the plastic bag manufacturers the penalties are much higher- Rs 5000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 for the first, second and third offence respectively. The imposition of fines is not the only punishment. An official from Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) said that the authority has the power to cancel the trade license of producers if they find production of single-use plastic in any unit.

The ban will be enforced in three phases. The RSPCB will carry out inspections in manufacturing units, while the Urban Development Department will carry out inspections in markets and other areas under its jurisdiction. The gram panchayat will do the same in rural areas.