A person caught using plastic bags with thickness less than 50 microns could face five-year jail term with a fine of Rs 1 lakh under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment DP Wahlang in a notification on February 23 has directed that no persons including shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader, hawker or salesmen shall use plastic carry bags with thickness less the 50 microns and plastic sheet which is not integral part of multi-layered packaging.
The government has also directed all Deputy Commissioners of the Districts, Sub- Divisional Officer (Civil) and Magistrate, Superintendent of Police of the districts and officers at the level of Sub-Inspector of police and above, Chief Executive Officers and all Engineers of Urban Local Bodies and all Assistant Environmental Engineers and Environmental Engineers of the State Pollution Control Board, Meghalaya to enforce the directive.
“Whoever fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this notification or directions issued there under, shall, in respect of each such failure or contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to five (5) years or with fine which may extend up to one (1) lakh rupees, or with both,” the notification said, adding, “In case the failure or contravention continues, additional fine shall be imposed which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure or contravention continues after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention in accordance.”
Furthermore, it says, “If the failure or contravention referred to in sub-section (i) continues beyond a period of one year after the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.”
The government has also entrusted the Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, Deputy Commissioners of the districts and Chairman and Member Secretary, State Pollution Control Board to take cognizance of offences and initiate legal action on violators and to file complaint in the jurisdictional court of law on all violators.
