Gzb DM calls for stricter ban on plastic use; FedAOA rallies behind

In an attempt to further restrict the use of plastic in the high-rise apartments, Ritu Maheshwari, DM Ghaziabad, has advised FedAOA to do away with the permissible limit of plastic use from the appeal banners that the association has put up across societies.

Alok Kumar, FedAOA president, informed City Spidey that Maheshwari, during their conversation, had advised him to make an edit in the earlier banners. “We had mentioned the exemption of plastics that measure above 50 microns, but now the DM has advised us to edit the exemption from our banner.”

Lauding the involvement, he added, “It’s quite appreciable, as it speaks of her determination to see Ghaziabad free from plastic, and our Federation will step up with her.”

Alok also informed City Spidey that the Federation is mulling a ban on the use of plastic and thermocol from community areas. “To make the ban impactful, we are thinking of including a penalty clause of upto Rs 5,000.”

When asked whether the Federation is legally authorised to impose such a measure, he said, “Community halls comes under the ambit of AOAs, and they are well within their rights to govern them.”

“We will soon draft the proposal and send it to the AOAs,” he said.

The Federation, he continued, will also propose signing of bonds at the time of booking. “Bonds will contain information on the ban and the fine.”

After UP Plastic and Other Biodegradable (regulation of use and disposal) (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 came into effect, the city administration kickstarted its crackdown plastic use.

The punishment for offenders includes both fine and imprisonment. First-time offenders are to be fined Rs 1,000 and can face upto a month in prison. Second-time violations could lead to imprisonment for up to six months and fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, depending on the amount of plastic seized from the individual.