Itanagar, Jun 28: In compliance to the notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regarding ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single use plastics including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities from July 1 next, the Deputy Commissioner Capital Itanagar Talo Potom convened a meeting with the AP State pollution Control Board which was attended by Corporators led by Dy. Mayor Biri Basang, market associations among others.
The DC informed that the ban would be strictly implemented from 1st July and has sought the cooperation of the denizens in successfully implementing the ban. He however stressed that intensive awareness in this regard is necessary and asked the Pollution Control Board and the Market Associations to carry out public announcement in the entire Capital Region especially amongst the vendors. He sought the cooperation of the Corporators too in carrying out necessary awareness and in implementing the ban successfully. 
The DC asked all to encourage each other to use local jhola/bags while buying groceries, vegetables and other items. The DC further informed that he would be visiting all the shops on 1st July itself to check and ensure the implementation of ban.
The SP also stressed that intensive and rigorous awareness should be carried out  to reach out to the public and to change their mindset to give up the use of plastics. He opined use of other alternatives like waterproof papers for packaging and carrying.
Member Secretary APSPCB T Riba informed that the plastic carry items with less than 75 microns in thickness would be completely banned like carry bags and other items like plastic sticks(ear buds, balloons etc) cutlery items(plates, cups, glasses etc), plastic wrapping packaging films(sweet box, invitation cards, cigarette packets), plastic sheets less than 75 microns thickness and other items.
He informed that the daily use plastic carry bag would be discontinued and urged the denizens to carry their own bags while shopping. He also informed about the harmful effects of plastic especially carry bags that often animals unknowingly swallow and die.  He stressed that we should try and adapt new ways to live without plastics. 
The officers of APSPCB also showed samples of carry bags that would be banned while informing that the plastic carry bags with thickness more than 75 microns would be mentioned in the bags itself for identification and use.
During the meeting, proper treatment and disposal system for plastics disposal was discussed to which Asstt Commissioner Datum Gadi informed that initiatives for establishment and operation of Solid Waste Management Plant of IMC is being taken up including land for SWM plant has been finalized. Gadi also stressed on the need to have proper awareness and sensitization and asked all the members present for their cooperation.
EAC Dr Unna suggested that we should request shopkeepers to voluntarily come forward and discard and surrender their plastic bags to their Corporators or IMC/ Market Associations as responsible citizen. 
It was also decided that a Committee/Flying Squad will be formed to check and seize banned plastic items from shops /vendors to ban use of such plastic items and others. IMC and AP State Pollution Control Board will take the responsibility to dispose all seized plastic bags and such items.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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