AGARTALA, August 20 (TIWN): To reinforce the ban on plastic carry bags in the state a 5 members district committees are to be set up in all district to keep a strict keep vigilance to ban the use of plastic carry bags.

However, it is decided to impose a complete ban on the use of plastic bag in the state by January 2016, as once Science, Technology and Environment department minister Bijita Nath said in a saga of meeting.

The state government has imposed a total ban on the manufacture, import, storage and sale of plastic bags in view of its harmful affect on the environment; thin plastic bags are yet in use throughout the state due to some mysterious reasons.

The committee would conduct awareness program in all schools to generate awareness in the localities on Sundays and holidays.

In frequent time the team would conduct frequent raids for curbing the use of plastic bags in the markets.

It is to be mentioned here that the government of Tripura has already issued ban on plastic carry bags up to the thickness of 40 micron in January 2014 but even after the order the use of plastic bag is still continued in the state.

The ban was imposed due to several health effects and environmental effects hampering the healthy livelihood of the people of the state.

The team will also conduct strict vigilance at Churaibari and Akhaura Check post to restrict imports of plastic carry bags. Apart, strict vigilance are also to be conducted during the festive season.  

Blame it on official apathy but polythene bags are being openly used in the land-locked state Tripura with impunity. Even though a ban was imposed on the use of polythene bags in 2014, it has not been enforced in true letter and spirit. Even as much hue and cry has been raised by environmentalists who caution that excessive dumping of plastic bags in the city would gradually lead to fertile land turning barren and pure water streams getting impure, the authorities concerned have failed to address the issue.

However, it is decided that the implementation target date for complete banning of selling, storing and using of plastic carry bags is fixed on January 31, 2016.