NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: On the first day of a three-phase drive to remove all non-biodegradable plastic carry bags and thermocol in the state, nearly 45 kilogram of polythene bags was seized from the markets of Sector 18, 27 and 82 on Sunday. In Jewar, 65 kg of plastic bags was seized from various shops and markets during the day.Though polythene bags are banned in the state since December 2016, the rule is not properly enforced in many places, especially in rural areas.As per an ordinance issued in December 2016, first time offenders will be fined Rs 1,000 for using bags of less than 50 microns and it can lead up to Rs 10,000. If caught again, shopkeepers can be given six months jail or fined between Rs 10,000 and 50,000 for storing or selling polythene bags. Storage, sale and usage of all non-biodegradable products including plastic and thermocol products like cups, plates and spoons which are used to consume food in any form is completely banned by this ordinance.“The enforcement has been done by the district administration in coordination with Noida Authority. This will continue until polythene usage is completely removed,” said B N Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar.In Noida, use of plastic nowadays seemed to be largely restricted to local grocery stores, fruit sellers and vegetable vendors. Established branded stores claimed to have already shifted to paper and cloth bags.Manish Kumar, an employee of a departmental store in Greater Noida , said: “We use only paper bags. Otherwise customers bring their own bag or carry the trolley till their car and put the items directly in their car. This has been part of our store for really long.”Rajeev Jindal, owner of a grocery store in Noida, said: “We stopped using polythene and plastic a few months ago. Now we use white cloth bags which are quite convenient to use as they don’t tear.”The enforcement drive was conducted in Vasundhara, Turabnagar, Loni and Modinagar areas in Ghaziabad as well. “A drive was carried out by nagar nigam and GDA officers at Loni and its commercial areas where all shopkeepers seemed already aware of the ban on plastic usage. People have stopped using plastic bags. Yet, we seized 2 kg of plastic carry bags and imposed a fine of Rs 14,000,” A K Tiwary, regional officer, UPPCB, Ghaziabad, said.(With inputs from Gayatri Bhatia)

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