Kohima gears up for ban on single use plastic

Kohima, September 28 (MExN): As the October 1deadline for total ban of single use plastic in all areas under Kohima Sardar  approaches, a review meeting the Kohima District Task Force (DTF) for its implementation was held today at DC's Conference Hall, Kohima.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Chairman DTF, Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie NCS, while reviewing the activities carried out so far, also decided on the items to be totally banned in the first phase, informed a DIPR report.  
In the first phase carry bags, pouches, and cutleries either made of plastic or Styrofoam will be banned. It also includes packaged drinking water below 20 litres. (See Box)
Regarding the relaxation on use of garbage plastic bags for disposal of Hospital biomedical waste at NHAK Kohima, the house decided to write back to them to identify alternate biodegradable garbage bags at the earliest, the report said. 
Meanwhile, for enforcing the ban on single use plastic, the meeting decided to form 4 groups and conduct checking on October 4 to seize and dispose all banned items, it informed. 
The DTF also agreed to practice soft approach at the initial phase and shall give alternate carry bags/paper bags in exchange to those citizens carrying banned plastic carry bags with the objective to convey that usage of such plastic carry bags are not allowed henceforth, it added. 
Reviewing the last meeting minutes, the District Administration Officers also highlighted their activities carried out on sensitization programme in regard to total ban of single use plastic starting from September 18-27 in various villages and ULB. More Sensitization programme will be conducted covering all ULB and villages by September 30. 
During the meeting it was also decided to hold an emergency meeting in line with the Mass Shramdaan on September 30 at the DC’s Conference Hall.