In a major step for environment protection, the Rajasthan Government on Monday announced a complete ban on use of plastic carry-bags all over the State from August 1. A notification declared the entire State a “plastic carry-bag-free zone”.
According to an official release here, the prohibition will also apply to manufacture, storage, import, sale and transport of plastic carry-bags. No shopkeeper, retailer, trader, hawker or vendor will be allowed to supply goods to consumers in these carry-bags.
The ban has been imposed in view of “both short-term and long-term environmental hazards” posed by the material used in the carry-bags, stated the release. The restriction is expected to check degradation of environment caused by the rampant use of plastic bags.
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The Government has authorised District Collectors and officers of the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board to file complaints under Section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to the competent court on violation of the guidelines prescribed in the notification.
The release said any infringement of the notification would attract prosecution under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, which prescribes imprisonment for five years or a fine up to Rs.1 lakh or both. Recurrence of the offence may lead to penalty of Rs.5,000 a day.