The Manipur government has ordered a ban on single-use plastics effective July 1, 2022. The state cabinet approved the Manipur Plastic Policy 2022, to combat plastic pollution and Manipur Tourism Policy to harness the tourism potential of the state. The state government approved the policy for the implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, which were amended in 2021.
Know which plastic items are banned in Manipur:
I. Import of plastic carry bags from Myanmar through Tengnoupal District from July 1, 2022
II. Plastic carry bags less than 75 microns in thickness from July 1 till December 30, 2022,
III. Plastic carry bags less than120 microns in thickness with effect from December 31, 2022
IV. Non woven plastic carry bags less than 60g per square meter (GSM).
Daily single-use plastics banned in Manipur:
The Manipur government has banned single-use plastics (SUPs), including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities are also banned with effect from July 1, 2022.
From Friday, July 1, 2022, cutlery items like plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straw and trays, among others are banned.
Other items that are banned include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, icecream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocolj for decorations) wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVCbanners less than 100 micron, stirrers and PET or PETE bottles less than 1 litre capacity for holding drinking water.
Penalty for violation of Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022
1. Whoever fails to comply with or contravencoes any other provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, or the rules made or order or directions issued thereunder, shall, in respect of each such failure or contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend lo five year with fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakh or with both, and in cases the failure or contravention continues, with additional fine which may extend to Rs 5,000 for every day during which such failure or contravention continues after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention.
2. If the failure or contravention referred to in sub-section (I) continues beyond a period of one year after the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.
3. Environment Compensation will also be levied on the violators of the rules as per the Environment Compensation regime developed by the Central Pollution Control Board.
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