Page 64 - Plastics News March 2019

IN THE NEWS

Railways may ban plastics in 36 Penalties for violation of plastic
stations ban announced in TN

he Indian Railways may ban plastics and enforce ocal bodies in the State on Tamil Nadu will soon start
Tthe ‘polluter pays’ rule at 36 major railway stations Limposing fines on those violating the ban on 14 kinds
across the country Among some prominent railway of single-use plastics, with the government announcing
stations shortlisted for the scheme are New Delhi, their quantum. The State government has notified
Mumbai Central, Howrah, Allahabad, Lucknow, Guwahati, the amendments to the by-laws of the respective Acts
Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Pune, governing the functioning of local bodies, including
municipal corporations and municipalities. Last month,
the Governor gave his assent to the amendments
under Act 12 of 2019,
passed by the Assembly,
said sources in the
Municipal Administration
Department. Local bodies
including the Greater
Chennai Corporation have
already begun work to set
up appellate authorities
Mysuru and Jaipur including Chennai Central, Tiruchi
and Thiruvananthapuram in Southern Railway. As part of in case of disputes. Its
initiatives to achieve ‘ISO 14001’ certification prescribed Commissioner, G. Prakash,
by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the 36 stations said officials including regional commissioners and
that constitute 5% of the major railway stations in the zonal officers were asked to take up the issue with full
network, were identified for launching an intensive vigour.Storage, supply, transport, sale and distribution
cleanliness, water and energy management programme. of any of the 14 banned items, including carry bags,
Besides enhanced surveillance by officials of the Health cups or plates, would attract a fine of Rs 25,000 the
and Sanitary Department, closed circuit television network first time, Rs 50,000 the second and Rs 1 lakh the third.
will be used to identify passengers/visitors who pollute the Similarly, the use and distribution of such plastics in
railway premises. With a target to achieve the ‘ISO 14001’ large commercial establishments, including grocery
parameters within a stipulated time frame, the railways shops and pharmaceutical shops, would attract a fine
will first consider banning plastics in all the 36 ‘eco-smart’ of Rs 1,000 the first time, Rs 2,000 the second and Rs
stations. Every regulatory authority on railway premises 5,000 the third. For smaller traders, the fine amounts
will enforce the ‘polluter pays’ norm in compliance with are nominal and they would be asked to pay Rs 100 the
the Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules, first time, Rs 200 the second and Rs 500 the third. If a
2016, and the Supreme Court ruling in the matter of person commits the breach for a fourth time, the trade
Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India and licence shall be cancelled. Tamilnadu had implemented
others. The shortlisted railway stations may have their the ban on plastics ban since January 01,2019. The
own websites to receive grievances and suggestions from State government is geared to “seal, seize and stop”
the public, particularly on issues relating to cleanliness those who don’t follow the rule. Environment Secretary
and hygiene. The railways would conduct a water and Shambu Kallolikar told The Hindu that their agenda
energy audit at these stations to conserve consumption. would be to ensure that the ban is implemented in full.
Nodal officers nominated to each of the 36 stations will “We will seal units that manufacture such items, seize
devise an action plan with verifiable indicators within one the banned items from retailers, wholesalers stockists
month to achieve the target. The implementation of the
eco-smart project comes in the wake of an order of the and manufacturers and stop anything that comes from
National Green Tribunal (NGT). outside the State,” he said.

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