The Kamrup district administration in a notification announced that a fine will be imposed on the use and sale of plastic bags.
The administration has directed the Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to ensure that no business establishments or public should use and sell plastic bags and to impose a fine on anyone who would be found violating the norms as per the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 1969.
The administration stated that the shops and establishments selling various products, cooked and precooked items, vegetable, meat, and other consumer goods are still using and selling plastic carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic which is less than 40 microns of thickness which is not recommended as per the plastic waste management and handling rule, 2011. Moreover, dumping and throwing of plastic bags in the primary and secondary drains is resulting in clogging of drains which resulted in water logging in and around the city during the rainy season.
The notification issued by the district administration said that the shops and establishments, as well as the general public, are under an obligation to ensure that they shall not use or sell plastic bags made of virgin or recyclable which is less than 40 microns in thickness and shall not throw or dump on the open streets and roads or drains.