NEWS

Now, anti-plastic drive in hospitals

Source: The Pioneer , New Delhi, Date: July , 2009

After banning use of plastic bags by the shopkeepers, the Delhi
Government is planning to impose a similar restriction on 100-bedded
hospitals to eliminate plastic from their premises. “ There are several
hospitals, including Government-run and public owned, in the city where
plastic bags are used despite the Government's January notification
banning their use,” a senior environment department official said.  He
added that in order to create awareness about their ill effects, posters
would be pasted on bus stops and other public places so that people
voluntarily discard plastic bags which create health and environmental
hazards.  The official said proper implementation of rules and their
subsequent monitoring was needed, if the menace of plastic bags was to
be eliminated.  Though the Government had assigned powers to medical
health officials, food and licensing officials and district magistrates
to register cases, they were yet to provide the details of their action
on the issue, the DPCC official added.  The Delhi Degradable Plastic Bag
(Manufacture, Sale and Usage) and Garbage (Control) Act 2000, which was
amended in 2005, states that four and five star hotels, hospitals with
100 beds or more, restaurants with seating arrangement of 100 and more,
Mother Dairy outlets, liquor vends and shopping malls will only use
degradable plastic bags.  Violators may be booked under Environment
Protection Act, 1986.  The punishment envisages imprisonment up to 5
years and/or fine up to Rs one lakh.