Single-use plastic ban in Chandigarh: Civic body issues 520 challans, confiscates 123-kg banned carry bags
In a simultaneous push for eco-friendly practices, the civic body has also facilitated the sale of 423 kg of compostable bags as part of the ongoing 'Plastic Mukt Chandigarh' campaign.
Taking serious note of continued violations, MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, has issued a strict warning to all individuals, traders, and commercial establishments found flouting the ban.
While reviewing the enforcement measures, the Commissioner directed the formation of a special task force to trace and dismantle the supply chain responsible for bringing banned plastic carry bags into the city.
The Commissioner underlined the administration's zero-tolerance policy, stating that repeat offenders will face severe legal action, including hefty fines, seizure of goods, and potential suspension or cancellation of licences.
Daily inspections are being conducted in key areas such as Apni Mandis, grocery outlets, street vending zones, and major marketplaces, Kumar said.
Underlining the environmental and health hazards posed by single-use plastics, the Commissioner reiterated the importance of transitioning to sustainable alternatives like cloth and compostable bags. He urged the public and the business community to align with the city's mission of becom
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Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
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Chandigarh: MC slaps ₹13,500 fine on PNB for littering
Sending out a strong message against littering, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has slapped a ₹13,500 fine on Punjab National Bank's (PNB) Sector 17 branch after a heap of garbage, containable identifiable documents related to the bank, was discovered in an open area near its premises. An MC team had found that PNB's Sector-17 branch had carelessly strewn identifiable documents in an open area near its premises, during an inspection on Wednesday. (HT Photo) MC officials said on Friday the challan was issued under the Solid Waste Management Rules. 'On July 2, MC teams were carrying out an inspection in Sector 17-B when heaps of garbage were found outside the bank. Acting promptly, the team thoroughly inspected the dumped waste and retrieved slips belonging to the bank, thereby confirming the origin of the litter,' said the MC official. The official added that teams had earlier too found the bank dumping waste in the open instead of handing it over to garbage collectors. Though the bank was warned, it did not mend its ways, said the official. Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar also issued a warning to all commercial and institutional establishments, besides residents. 'Any form of littering or violation of cleanliness norms in public spaces will invite strict action. The action (against PNB) reiterated the civic body's commitment to maintaining cleanliness across Chandigarh. We urge all citizens and organisations to act responsibly. MC continues its efforts to ensure a cleaner and greener city and seeks full cooperation from the public in this mission,' said Kumar. 5,200 challans issued in just 4 months The MC revealed that from January 1 to April 31 this year, over 5,200 challans were issued for various violations related to littering and improper waste disposal. On an average, around 1,200 challans are being issued each month, as the corporation ramps up enforcement drives across residential, commercial, and institutional areas. MC officials said that, like in the PNB case, garbage is often thoroughly inspected during drives to trace its origin. These forensic-style inspections have become a key tool in holding violators accountable. In addition to penalising public littering, the Chandigarh MC is also acting tough against residents who fail to segregate garbage at source. Households are required to separate dry, wet, and sanitary waste, and non-compliance is leading to further penalties. Special task force to trace supply chain of plastic bags MC commissioner Amit Kumar issued a stern warning to all individuals, traders, and commercial establishments found violating the single-use plastic ban in the city. While reviewing the enforcement of the ban, the commissioner directed the MC officers concerned to trace and dismantle the supply chain of plastic carry bags entering Chandigarh. He warned that strict legal action will be taken, which may include heavy penalties, seizure of goods, and in severe cases, temporary or permanent closure of the establishment. As part of the Plastic Mukt Chandigarh campaign, rigorous enforcement drives have been conducted since the ban came into effect on June 18, 2025. So far, 520 challans have been issued, 123 kg banned plastic carry bags have been confiscated besides selling 423 kg compostable bags. The commissioner said that MC enforcement teams are inspecting sensitive areas such as apni mandis, grocery shops, street vendors, and markets on a daily basis.
Time of India
11 hours ago
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Assault on ‘kathavachak' in Etawah achallenge to Hindutva, says VHP chief
Lucknow: Days after a 'kathavachak' (religious storyteller) and his associate from the Yadav community were allegedly assaulted by a group of men from the upper caste in Etawah, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Alok Kumar on Thursday said "the incident was no less than a challenge to the entire Hindutva and Dharma-shashtras". "We need to be cautious. Such acts by certain individuals are reprehensible," Kumar told TOI, adding that the Etawah incident was nothing short of a "concerted" attempt to incite disharmony between different sections of society. He asserted that such incidents should not intentionally be portrayed to create disharmony between the Yadavs and Brahmins. "Harmony should be maintained. The law should be maintained. And this right of all Hindus to worship, to preach, to be a pundit in a temple is inviolable and cannot be compromised," Kumar said, adding that it must be understood that no one can be stopped from preaching and reciting 'katha'. Experts said that Kumar sought to frame the incident not merely as a caste-related atrocity, but as a violation of Hinduism itself, potentially seeking to reframe the narrative from a caste conflict to one of unity under the larger Hindu fold. His emphasis on harmony and law, analysts said, reflected VHP's pointed attempt to prevent the local incident from becoming a symbol of systemic caste oppression — a narrative that could damage the image of Hindu unity, especially in the politically-sensitive Uttar Pradesh. Kumar said that the Etawah incident was highly painful. "Bhagwan to sabke hain… sab Bhagwan ke hain aur Bhagwan ne sabko saman adhikar diya hai," he said, stressing that the VHP strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict punishment for the accused as early as possible. The VHP chief said that the Yogi Adityanath govt was taking appropriate action against the accused. At the same time, he said, one needs to exercise restraint from taking political mileage from the incident. He said that 'dharma' was primarily meant to unite people and not to create divisions. "Therefore, the divide which has been created because of such incidents should be bridged." Kumar said that the VHP was already imparting six months of training to Scheduled Tribes vis-à-vis religious storytelling. "Bhagwan par unka adhik adhikar hai kyunki Bhagwan bhi apne kartavya ke liye 14 saal jungle mein rahe they…," he said, referring to Ram who spent 14 years in the forest during his exile. He further said that the VHP was also running a 'Ved Vidyalaya' in Odisha. The institution, he said, was primarily attended by women of the ST community.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
Single-use plastic ban in Chandigarh: Civic body issues 520 challans, confiscates 123-kg banned carry bags
Since the enforcement of the single-use plastic ban in Chandigarh on June 18, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Chandigarh while intensifying its crackdown on violators, have issued 520 challans and confiscated 123-kg of banned plastic carry bags. In a simultaneous push for eco-friendly practices, the civic body has also facilitated the sale of 423 kg of compostable bags as part of the ongoing 'Plastic Mukt Chandigarh' campaign. Taking serious note of continued violations, MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, has issued a strict warning to all individuals, traders, and commercial establishments found flouting the ban. While reviewing the enforcement measures, the Commissioner directed the formation of a special task force to trace and dismantle the supply chain responsible for bringing banned plastic carry bags into the city. The Commissioner underlined the administration's zero-tolerance policy, stating that repeat offenders will face severe legal action, including hefty fines, seizure of goods, and potential suspension or cancellation of licences. Daily inspections are being conducted in key areas such as Apni Mandis, grocery outlets, street vending zones, and major marketplaces, Kumar said. Underlining the environmental and health hazards posed by single-use plastics, the Commissioner reiterated the importance of transitioning to sustainable alternatives like cloth and compostable bags. He urged the public and the business community to align with the city's mission of becom
