A team of Pollution Control Board (PCB), Jammu-North today conducted raids at various shops, fruit and vegetable markers in Jammu and Gharota and seized 800 kg of banned polythene carry bags below 50 microns and single use plastic (SUP) cutlery.
A handout of the PCB stated that on specific inputs about banned polythene material being distributed and circulated in the markets of Jammu on scooties, PCB team laid nakas at different spots and seized three scooties transporting banned polythene.
The polythene mafia has adopted this new modus operandi of using scooties for polythene distribution to various shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors in the city and its outskirts.
With the assistance of police led by SHO Police Station Gharota, Khayatiman Khajuria, the PCB team raided shops in Amb Gharota area as these shops were openly trading with banned polythene/plastic materials.
During raids about 800 kg of banned polythene carry bags and non-biodegradable disposable SUP items were seized and violators were fined of Rs. 32,500.
The raiding team was headed by Divisional Officer J&K PCB Jammu North and the raids were conducted on the directions of JKPCB Chairman, Suresh Chugh and under the direct supervision of Member Secretary JKPCB, B.M Sharma and Regional Director Jammu, Dr Syed Nadeem Hussain.
Chairman JKPCB has asked the traders and shopkeepers to stop using polythene carry bags and SUP items.
He also informed that district officers of PCB are now authorized to compound and collect a fine upto Rs. 50,000 for every single violation.
