PATNA: The state cabinet on Monday approved the Bihar Municipal Plastic Waste Management Amendment Model Bye-laws 2022 and 11 other agendas, including approval to the draft and proposal of by-laws for the smooth functioning of Bihar Sports Authority.
Briefing media persons about the decisions, additional chief secretary, cabinet co-ordination department, S Siddharth said that with regard to plastic ban, if a common man is also caught using single-use plastic, he will have to pay a fine.
“Many categories have been created for this. If caught taking single use plastic in the market, then ₹100 penalty will be imposed for the first time, ₹200 for the second time and ₹500 rupees if caught for the third time for domestic users. For the commercial use of single use plastic, a fine of ₹1,500 will be imposed for the first time, then ₹2,500 and thereafter ₹3,500 as fine,” said the additional chief secretary.
Similarly, for burning plastic waste in the open, a fine of ₹2,000 will be charged for the first time, ₹3,000 for the second time, and ₹5,000 for the third time. “Spreading plastic waste in public places like parks, drains, archaeological sites, and other prohibited places will also attract a fine of ₹1,000 for the first time, ₹1,500 for the second time and ₹2,000 for the third time. Every person responsible for organizing an event or gathering of more than 100 persons without informing the urban local body and not making arrangements as per law will be fined ₹1,500 (1st time), ₹2,000 (2nd time) and ₹2,500 for the third time,” he said.
The law has completely banned decoration items made of polystyrene (thermocol). Plastic cups, plates, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, stirrers as well as plastic films wrapped around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets and plastics of thickness less than 100 microns or PVC banners will be banned in urban areas.
The cabinet gave its approval on the draft and proposal of by-laws for the smooth functioning of Bihar Sports Authority Patna. After this decision of the government, sports activities are expected to increase in the state.
Apart from this, approval has been given for the creation of five additional posts for the study of Computer Science and Engineering in Bhagalpur State Engineering College and approval has also been given to create two posts each for studying computer science and engineering in Gaya and Darbhanga engineering colleges.
In another important decision, the cabinet gave its nod to allow government servants more opportunities to appear in competitive examinations conducted by the state. “Now government servants will be able to appear in BPSC five times instead of 3 times,” said Siddharth.