After it faced strong opposition over implementation of the amended traffic rules a few weeks ago, the administration is taking no chances before strictly enforcing the ban on single-use plastic in Odisha.
The administration has launched an awareness drive in all the urban areas, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Berhampur, in a big way to make people aware of the threats plastic bags, polythene and single-use plastic pose to the environment.
Though raids are being conducted in different areas, a period of one month has been given to traders in Bhubaneswar to make necessary arrangements to cope with the ban on single-use plastic. Cases will be registered against repeat offenders, an official said.
Although the decision to ban single-use plastic was announced by Chief Minister in July last year, it came into effect in all urban areas of the State on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday.
The awareness drive was launched in a big away on Gandhi Jayanti day when pledge was administered to students and their parents in various government schools and Anganwadi centres to shun single-use plastic. Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik had created a sculpture on the Puri beach recently with the slogan “say no to single-use plastic” to create awareness among the people.
After banning single-use plastic in urban areas, the State government has planned to enforce it in the entire State in phases over the next two years.
While the Housing and Urban Development Department will enforce the ban in the municipal corporations and urban local bodies, the Panchayati Raj Department will enforce it in rural areas of the State.
