If you have been using plastic bags in and around Jamshedpur, then beware. From November 5 onward, anyone found using a plastic carry bag will be penalized by the local administration, which has launched a month-long drive in association with its civic bodies to curb the use of plastic in Steel City.

During this period, anyone found selling or using plastic carry bags will have to shell out anything ranging between Rs 100 to Rs 10,000 as a penalty. The amount to be paid will be decided by the officials of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), Mango Notified Area Committee (MNAC), and Jugsalai Municipality.

Acting on instruction of Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer, Nitesh Kumar Singh, three civic bodies have been set-up by special officers to implement the drive.

“This is a way to keep the city free from hazardous plastic bags. During this drive, which ends on December 5, we will make the traders and users understand that plastic bags are banned. Hence, using or selling them is illegal and will attract penalty,” said Singh while talking to The Telegraph Online.

Using plastic bags was banned in Jamshedpur. But off late, the plastic menace is back. Hence, officials have sprung back into action to educate the vendors and shopkeepers about the plastic hazards.

“We have set up four teams, which is being headed by a city manager,” revealed special officer, JNAC, Krishna Kumar.

Speaking to The Telegraph Online, he said, “Out of the four teams, two have to detect and recover plastic carry bags from various kinds of shops and users. The remaining two are to penalise those found guilty of using or selling plastic bags. The teams engaged in the drive have the power to intercept any individual found guilty of carrying goods in a plastic bag.”

He added, “Snacks shops or hoteliers are allowed to use plastic bags which are above 50 microns. But grocery shop owners are not to use plastic bags instead of the prescribed cotton fabric carry bags.”