Traders and shopkeepers continue flouting SUP norms in Patiala

PATIALA, Punjab: Traders, shop keepers, hotel owners and vendors continue flouting single-use plastic (SUP) norms in Patiala despite repeated warnings.

The Municipal Corporation, Patiala has been taking action against shopkeepers for the use and sale of listed banned plastic products, including carry bags, polythene bags, plastic pipes, etc. The urban local body (ULB) is yet to take action to curb manufacturing, distribution and import of these banned plastic products.

A senior ULB official has confirmed that the civic body has been taking steps against the use of single-use plastic items including polythene bags and plastic bottles and issuing regular challan for this purpose.

The situation persists even though the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has already issued directives last year, under relevant provisions of the Environment Protection Act, to the Department of Local Government, Rural Development, Panchayats, Deputy Commissioners, regional offices of PPCB and others. The environmental body has also sent official communique to the police department to curb cross border movement of these banned single-use plastic products.

Apart from that, it has also held programmes in various government schools. Similarly, ULBs have also organised various programmes and campaigns in collaboration with industries regarding the banned plastic products at the district and state levels.