AP notifies authorities to take action against PWMR violators

VIJAYAWADA, Andhra Pradesh: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued a notification regarding the effective implementation and enforcement of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (PWMR). The notification also asks authorities to take strict action against the violators of these norms. 

According to the order issued by Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Special Chief Secretary Environment Forest Science and Technology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, municipal corporations, health officials of urban local bodies and member-secretary of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) are responsible for enforcement of PWMR, 2016 regarding the usage and sale of banned single-use plastics (SUPs) in their area of jurisdiction. 

The notification mentioned that companies caught importing and manufacturing banned plastic would have to pay a fine of ₹50,000. If caught again, the registration of the same will be cancelled in addition to a fine of ₹11 lakh by the SPCB. 

Similarly, distributing and stocking of the banned plastics would incur a fine of ₹25,000 in addition to a fine of ₹10 per kg of the stock, and if found again, ₹50,000 will be imposed in addition to ₹20 per kg of the stock. 

Based on the category of offence, fines to be imposed against offenders by the officials of rural and urban local bodies will be between ₹2,500 and ₹50,000.