Mairang (Meghalaya): The District Magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills has issued a prohibitory order banning the manufacture, import, stocking, sale, and use of plastic carry bags thinner than 120 microns.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, is part of the state’s intensified efforts to enforce the nationwide ban on single-use plastics.
The directive aligns with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Authorities have warned that violations will invite strict action, though individuals aggrieved by the order may appeal to the competent authority.
Meanwhile, over two metric tonnes of banned plastic products have already been seized during surprise inspections conducted across various districts this year.
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According to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), district-level special task forces comprising members from the administration, police, urban affairs department, and MSPCB have been conducting these raids.
“These surprise checks are being carried out to identify and remove banned plastic items from the market. We are also promoting eco-friendly alternatives like cloth and jute bags,” an MSPCB official said.
The ban is part of a broader push to curb the environmental damage caused by plastic waste and promote sustainable practices across the state.
