GMC to cancel trade licences of Single-Use Plastics norm violators

GUWAHATI: The Assam Cabinet has approved a Comprehensive Action Plan to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics. As per the instructions of the Mayor, GMC held a meeting regarding the imposition of a ban on single-use plastic (SUP) for all the traders under the Municipal Markets under GMC. All trade licence holders under the purview of GMC were directed to stop using SUP as mandated by the PWM Rules, 2016 (as amended). If any trader is found to be in possession of SUP during enforcement drives by GMC, the trade licence of such trader shall be revoked with immediate effect, and the trade premises shall be sealed.

The items banned for usage include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, and polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration. Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, and plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns

As per the amended rules, “Carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than seventy-five (75) microns in thickness with effect from September 30, 2021, and one hundred and twenty (120) microns in thickness with effect from December 31, 2022”.

This is not the first time that the authorities have issued such orders in recent times regarding a ban on single-use plastic materials, but they have not seen any real effect regarding the same. Although such plastic bags disappear temporarily from the market, they often find their way back within a few days. It remains to be seen if the threat of the cancellation of trade licences can have some effect on the traders as well as the public.

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