NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: On the second day of imposition of the polythene ban ordnance across Uttar Pradesh , Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad officers took to the field to investigate, inform, seize and extract fines from violators. However, city-based traders on Monday expressed, alternatives in the form of accessible cloth, jute and paper bags are the only way for a complete shutdown of plastic usage.In Noida, multiple teams went out for seizing polythene bags and made a haul of 20kgs of polythene bags on Monday. A fine worth Rs16500 was imposed as well. In Greater Noida, awareness drives were conducted in Alpha and Gamma markets. Total plastic seized in the city was 15kgs but no fines were imposed in Greater Noida. The sectors where officers went were sector 6, 27, 19, 50 and 77. The drive is to make Noida completely polythene free. Drives were also executed in the hosiery complex and Raipur village.The fines imposed in Uttar Pradesh on June 15 by an ordnance signed by governor Ram Naik , are much lesser than the amounts imposed in Maharashtra for similar offences where a carpet ban on plastic manufacture and circulation has been imposed recently. Whereas, the UP ordnance has imposed a Rs 1000 fine to begin with, in Maharashtra the same offence is fined at Rs5000 running up to Rs 25,000 for future offences.“We have created a plan for regular drives to extract any stored plastic bags or packages and each day the exercise will be carried out. In Ghaziabad, the polythene ban drive was carried out in Sahibabad mandi, with the support of SDM Sadar, tehsildar, UPPCB and Nagar Nigam officials. A total of 20kg polythene were seized from the drive and Rs 7,000 worth fines were imposed on sellers, confectioners in Shahibabad mandi. “Apart from drives, awareness campaigns have been started at school levels to engage the citizens in giving up usage of plastic totally. The initiative to seize and fine will be carried out regularly until the city is made polythene free,” AK Tiwary, regional officer, UPPCB, Ghaziabad, said.“We held a meeting with representatives of small scale industries as well as traders. We have told them on the need for complete regulation on plastic usage and selling. The details of the ordnance has also been explained. The ordnance permits the government to even imprison violators in case of repeat offence and we are compelled to act to uphold the rules,” city magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar, Mahender Singh said.“Simply imposing fines is not a solution. To make the ban sustained and permanent, consumers as well as sellers need alternatives. Plastic usage has to be replaced by eco-friendly solutions so that people automatically stop using them,” SK Jain, president, Uttar Pradesh Vyapar Mandal said.“In order to stop the usage of plastic in the state, The ordnance has to be followed strongly. Just as strong steps are being taken to stop circulation, stopping manufacture of plastic in the state has become equally important,” Vikrant Tongad, an environment worker from Greater Noida said.“Multiple teams have been created to bring the plastic ban into force. By October 2, when the third phase is enacted in the state, Gautam Budh Nagar will be completely plastic free,” BN Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar added.

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