Cabinet decides to penalise violators of single use plastic ban

Representative Image

PATNA, Bihar: The Bihar State Cabinet on Monday, December 12, approved the Bihar Municipal Plastic Waste Management Amendment Model By-laws 2022 along with 11 other agendas, including a draft and proposal of by-laws aiming to ensure the smooth functioning of Bihar Sports Authority.

S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary, Cabinet Co-ordination Department, said that the ban also applies to the common people who, if caught violating the norms, will have to pay a fine.

Burning plastic in the open will incur a fine of ₹2,000 for the first time, ₹3,000 for the second time and ₹5,000 for the third time. Similarly, domestic users, if caught using single use plastic in the market, will be fined ₹100 for the first time, ₹200 on the second instance, and the third time violators have to pay ₹500.

Additionally, throwing plastic waste in public spaces, including parks, drains, archaeological sites etc, will attract a fine of ₹1,000 for the first time, ₹1,500 for the second time and ₹2,000 for the third time.

Apart from that, anyone organising a gathering or an event involving more than 100 people without informing the concerned urban local body (ULB) will be fined ₹1,500 for the first time, ₹2,000 for the second time, and ₹2,500 for the third time.

Law prohibits using decorative items made of polystyrene (thermocol), plastic cups, plates, spoons, forks, knives, straws, trays, stirrers, plastic films, invitation cards and plastic of thickness less than 100 microns or PVC banners in urban areas.

The state cabinet also approved the draft and proposal for by-laws for the smooth functioning of the Bihar Sports Authority in Patna. The move aims to give a boost to sports activities in the state.

The approval has been given to create five additional posts for Engineering and Computer Science study at Bhagalpur State Engineering College and two other posts for the same subjects in Gaya and Darbhanga engineering colleges.