New Delhi: Observing that the plastic ban is not being implemented strictly in the na-tional capital, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed the Delhi government to strictly impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on those violating the plastic ban order and carry out raids on shops or vendors possessing plastic bags in the city.
“You (Delhi) say the ban is being implemented. You just go to the fruit seller or any shop and you will get the plastic for free. It is so easily available. Why don’t you strictly recover the fines from the violators,” a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The NGT had last year banned the use of disposable plastic in Delhi and NCR with effect from January 1 this year.
On Thursday, it also asked the AAP government to submit a status report on the steps taken to implement its order and ordered to conduct raids and impose the environment compensation (fine) of Rs 5,000 from the offenders. The Delhi government counsel told the bench that Rs 32 lakh has been recovered as fine from persons found in possession of plastic bags.
The counsel also said the city government has deployed teams in different parts of the city to conduct raids but due to Chhath Puja holiday, the raids would not be possible on Thursday and sought time.
Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, appearing for the petitioner in the case, said that non-woven bags were being sold by online companies and that should be immediately banned. The bench posted the matter for hearing on October 31.
