Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 24: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) today launched a 6-R campaign to implement a complete ban on the use of polythene in Srinagar City.
Commissioner SMC Athar Amir in this regard today flagged off the drive at SK Park Lal Chowk.
He said that to eradicate the polythene menace from Srinagar city, SMC has launched an anti-polythene campaign under the name of ‘6 R Campaign.’
The campaign, he said, would be extensive and sustainable with a focus on not only to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle but also to remove polythene from day to day routine, but to refuse taking or stocking polythene and also to report, which is to provide information to the concerned authorities on finding a person selling, stocking or carrying a polythene bag.
He said that polythene and other single-use plastics are extremely harmful to the environment and public health and there is a need to stop using the same.
In compliance with the SWM Rules, 2016 and PWM Rules 2016 & in pursuance of various orders passed by the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, he said, there shall be a complete ban on the use and sale of single-use plastics and polythene.
He said that no one shall bring polythene or single-use plastics into the Srinagar city for personal or commercial use via any of the entry points of the city and no one shall engage in the sale of polythene and prohibited single-use plastics in the city.
“No restaurant or hotel or an eatery or any commercial unit shall use disposable items made of single-use plastic or polythene for serving food or tea etc to the customers,” he said.
Also, it has been noted that no individual shall use disposable items made of single-use plastics or polythene in marriages or other social or religious functions.
“All commercial units including shops, hotels, restaurants, street vendors, malls, institutes, offices (government & private), public or private sector companies, schools, colleges, universities etc shall not use prohibited polythene or single-use plastics for packaging or sale,” he said.
The officials said that there shall be varied penalties for violations committed.
“Rs 500 fine for use of polythene bags/ prohibited single-use plastics by individuals and Rs 5000 fine for use or for selling goods in polythene bags by commercial establishments/units,” officials said.
At the same time, Rs 10,000 fine per kilogram will be imposed for carrying, stocking or selling or bulk use of polythene or other prohibited plastics.
Rs 500 fine for littering by individuals and Rs 5000 spot fine for littering by commercial establishments, officials said while adding that repeated offences shall invite heavy penalties including deregistration and sealing of businesses.
“Rs 25000 fine for failure to manage solid waste by bulk waste generators in accordance with rules,” officials said.
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