Complete ban on plastic bags in Nagaland from August 1

DIMAPUR — Citing severe environmental and ecological concerns, the governor of Nagaland on Friday announced a complete ban on all single-use plastic carry bags, regardless of thickness, and plastic bottles smaller than one litre intended for water and soft drinks.

The ban will come into effect from August 1. This decision follows a meeting of the Special Task Force (STF) on single-use plastics on June 20, according to an update from the state DIPR on Friday.

The ban applies to all individuals, institutions and commercial establishments, including educational institutions, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, religious institutions, and industrial establishments within the state.

Violators will face penalties — INR 10,000 for the first offense, INR 20,000 for the second, and permit cancellation for subsequent offenses, it said.

Enforcement will be carried out by District Task Forces (DTFs) that are already established in each district. These DTFs will function as vigilance squads, actively monitoring and ensuring complete compliance with the ban on stocking, distributing, selling, and using the prohibited items, the update said.

The District Administration, DTFs, and local bodies are all authorised to levy these penalties against offending businesses within their respective jurisdictions, the update stated.

Further, to guarantee effective implementation, DTFs will hold quarterly meetings to assess progress and address challenges. Additionally, they will furnish regular Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to the government, detailing their enforcement efforts and the overall impact of the ban.