Guwahati: Following a clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Assam Cabinet on Thursday (February 10) approved a Comprehensive Action Plan to eliminate single-use plastics.
The Cabinet also laid down a plan for development of alternatives and scientific disposal of plastic wastes.
Departments of Revenue & Disaster Management, Industries & Commerce, Science & Technology, Urban Development and Environment & Forest will together prepare a roadmap in this regard.
The plan seeks to ban plastic carry-bags less than 75 microns in thickness with effect from September 30, 2021 and carry-bags less than 120 microns in thickness with effect from December 31, 2022.
It will also eliminate earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) used for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery like forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
Assam Chief minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Protecting environment being a priority, we finalised an action plan to phase out single-use plastics and ensure compensatory afforestation at our weekly cabinet.”
Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Protecting environment being a priority, we finalized an Action Plan to phase out single-use plastics and ensure compensatory afforestation at our weekly Assam Cabinet. We also took decisions on fixing speed limits to reduce accidents, allotment of land to indigenous SHGs, etc.”
