Title - 2,300 kg polythene seized

Jammu: In the year’s second major seizure, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), along with the Excise Department and General Railway Police, today seized an “unclaimed” consignmentof 2,300 kg of banned polythene bags from the Jammu Railway Station.The consignment was packed in jute bags and was transported to the winter capital city from Ludhiana. The police said it has started the investigation.“We had some specific inputs that the banned polythene was being illegally brought to Jammu. A team of the SPCB, which is the prescribed authority, along with officials of the Excise Department and police conducted a raid and seized the consignment. It was a planned and coordinated effort that led to the successful operation,” SPCB regional director Showkat Choudhary told The Tribune.He disclosed that the polythene was being brought to Jammu and Kashmir from neighbouring states like Punjab, where it was easily available. Recently, the state high court had directed the Board to work in coordination with the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in making Jammu a polythene-free city.The director said they would intensify the drive against the use and sale of polythene bags in the state. “We have imposed a fine of Rs 7,500 on traders for using polythene bags,” he added.He also emphasised the need of active participation of the general public and other allied departments for the complete eradication of this menace.

TS Chib, district officer, SPCB, Jammu, who led the drive, claimed the Board had intensified the campaign against the use of polythene and it was in constant touch with the Railway authorities to nab those who were involved in the illegal transportation of polythene bags via trains.

On May 13, over 9,300 kg of polythene bags were seized by the police and the state Excise and Taxation Department officials at Lakhanpur in Kathua district.

The state government had banned the manufacturing and sale of polythene bags under the Jammu and Kashmir Non Bio-Degradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007.

Under the law, District Magistrates or Deputy Commissioners or any other officer nominated by the government would enforce the law, besides acting as a facilitator and guide in the matter of dealing with the non-biodegradable material.

Few days ago, a Division Bench of the high court, hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking enforcement of a complete ban on the use of polythene carry bags, had granted a month’s time to the Jammu Municipal Corporation to make Jammu a polythene-free city.

Prior to the ban, according to sources, 3,000 kg of polythene bags were used daily. At least 20 per cent users still flout the rule.