Guwahati: In a notification, the Commissioner and Secretary, Secretariat Administration Department, M Angamuthu on September 30, 2019 issued some directions for imposing complete ban on manufacture, import, supply, sale and use of plastic carry bags/plastic sheets/multilayered packaging less than 50 microns, short life PVC and all chlorinated plastic bags/sheets/banners/flex/buntings/flags irrespective of thickness inside the premises of Janata Bhawan with immediate effect.
As per the notification, all types of plastic carry bags, packets and packaging materials less than 50 microns are banned from the premises of Janata Bhawan, Single-use plastic water bottles that generate plastic waste are not allowed in the office premises including in the meetings, conference, etc. Instead, multi-use bottles made of metal, glass, bamboo or any other material to be used in their place.
Water dispensers with paper cups are to be used for dispensing water in meetings, conferences, kiosk, etc. Plastic spoon, fork, cups, glass, cling film, ketchup/sauce or any other sachet, straws, plates are strictly not allowed in the premises of Janata Bhawan. Alternative materials which do not have serious harm to the environment may be used in their place. Furthermore, materials made of thermocol is also banned in the office premises of the Janata Bhawan.
Notably, the Government of Assam with a view to ban single-use of plastics and safe guard the environment against plastic waste has decided to create awareness against the hazards of single-use plastic and explore sustainable alternative had taken up some stringent steps in the premises of Janata Bhawan which will come into force with immediate effect to curb the single-use plastic in the complex.