Puri: The municipal body of the city Wednesday seized 25 kg polythene bags and collected Rs 8, 500 as penalty while conducting raids at 17 shops along the Grand Road.
The municipality would enforce the ban on polythene bags strictly from November 1, said an official.
The state government had imposed the ban on sale and use of polythene in five municipal corporations and the Holy City on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). It had asked the authorities to create awareness about hazards of polythene use among people till October 31.
The civic bodies of the six cities have been directed to enforce the plastic ban strictly and impose penalties on violators from November 1.
“We have raided several shops along the Grand Road and seized polythene bags from them. Our officials have collected fines from the violators. Our enforcement squad would conduct regular raids on shops from November 1,” said municipality enforcement officer Shyamsundar Mahapatra.
Mahapatra claimed that they have seized around two quintals of polythene bags and thermocol plates from shopkeepers and vendors during last 29 days.
“We would keep tabs on the sources of polythene and thermocol plates in the city,” Mahapatra added.
