After formation of a new cell to enforce the ban on polythene, the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has seized about 300 kilogrammess of polythene and issued nearly 50 challans amounting to Rs 2,95,000. Municipal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that to effectively stop the usage of polythene in the city they will be conducting a meeting with wholesalers, shop owners from Paltan Bazaar and Moti Bazaar, merchant associations and local counsellors. The meeting is proposed to be on August 23.
During the week after formation of a special cell, the MCD was able to conduct the polythene ban enforcement drive for only three days that is August 9, 14 and 17. Deputy commissioner Rohitash Sharma said that on Saturday they seized around 70 kilogrammes of polythene and disposable spoons. Total 23 challans were issued and about Rs one lakh cash was collected in the form of penalty.
MCD is also planning to give 10-day time to the citizens in order to submit the polythene and disposable plastic items they already have. After that MCD will be distributing cloth bags and conducting awareness campaign also. However, after the entire awareness campaign is done if someone is found carrying polythene strict penalty will be charged from the person according to the directions of the Uttarakhand High Court.
