Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has so far collected a fine of Rs 2,38,94,976 for the sale and purchase of single-use plastic since the government imposed a ban on its use in 2019.
Responding to Mohan Majhi (BJP), Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi informed the Assembly that 2,15,385 kg of plastic has been seized in the last four years from different urban places. One case has also been registered for violation of the plastic ban order, the minister said.
The government has ordered the closure of three industrial units for producing single-use plastic materials.
The minister further informed that the seized plastic materials are being supplied to the cement plant. The use of paper bags, cardboard, leaf, composite, and biodegradable plastic has begun as an alternative to plastic items.
A complete ban on plastic can’t be possible in Bhubaneswar and other urban areas due to the non-availability of suitable alternative materials at affordable prices.
