Jamshedpur: In compliance with departmental directives, the enforcement team of the Jugsalai Municipal Council carried out a special drive against the use, sale and storage of banned single-use plastic across multiple locations under its jurisdiction. During the operation, officials seized approximately 7 kg of prohibited plastic items and imposed fines amounting to ₹2,500 on violators.
The council reiterated that, as per regulations effective from 1 January 2023, the import, storage, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags or products made of plastic below 120-micron thickness is a punishable offence. Additionally, Rule 4(2) of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, prohibits the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of several single-use plastic items—including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene—effective 1 July 2022.
The banned items include: Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks and thermocol decorative items. Single-use cutlery such as plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, straws, trays, and packaging films used for sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, as well as PVC or plastic banners under 100-micron thickness.
Issuing a public appeal, the Jugsalai Municipal Council urged residents to adopt eco-friendly alternatives such as jute, paper and cloth bags, and to avoid the use of thermocol products. Officials cautioned that consuming food in thermocol plates and bowls increases the risk of serious health issues, including cancer. They encouraged the use of sal leaf plates and bowls as safer, biodegradable substitutes.
Shopkeepers possessing banned materials have been asked to voluntarily surrender them at the Municipal Council office and support the government’s “Plastic-Free Jugsalai” campaign. The council warned that anyone involved in the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale or use of prohibited materials will face financial penalties and legal consequences under the Plastic Waste Management Rules and relevant provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act.
City Manager Rajendra Kumar, Junior Engineer Tanuj Jain, Revenue Inspector Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, Mohd Shakeel Ahmed Ansari, Rahul Das, Umesh Prajapati, Sanitary Supervisor Dinesh Kumar, Cleaning Supervisor Haseen Khan, Ajay Kumar Singh, Manjeet Kumar, Home Guard Santosh Yadav, and other staff members participated in the enforcement drive.
