Patna, Sept. 6: Six months have passed since the Supreme Court’s ban on the use of plastic for packaging tobacco products but nine out of 12 brands in Patna district are still flouting the norms.

The violation of the apex court order in the district was revealed in a survey conducted by non-government organisation Bihar Voluntary Health Association, the state chapter of Voluntary Health Association of India. The report revealed around 75 per cent of gutkha and pan masala brands are still selling their products in plastic pouches and the violators have gone unpunished.

The Supreme Court’s verdict came into effect from March 1, 2011, imposing a ban on manufacturers of gutkha, pan masala and tobacco products from using plastic to package the products. However, the verdict’s implementation in the district has been nil.

“Implementation of the verdict has been zero per cent. More than five months have passed after the ban on the use of plastic pouches for packaging tobacco products came into force on March 1, 2011. Not a single violator has been punished yet. It has put a question mark on the government’s determination in enforcing the act,” said a programme officer of Bihar Voluntary Health Association, Khurshid Ekram Ansari, at a news meet today.

On the survey in Patna district, Ansari said: “Hundred shops were covered under the survey, and out of 12 different gutkha and pan masala brands, nine were found packed in plastic pouches. Several brands were also packing latest batches in plastic but were not printing the manufacturing date or batch number, flouting the law easily. Of the 12 brands in the market, the nine flouting the norms are all reputed. Most of them also packing their products in paper from the outside, retaining the inner plastic layer. Products supplied to the market before the verdict are still available.”

Ansari further said: “Of the 100 vendors interviewed, three per cent said they knew about the ban and were aware that selling gutkha and pan masala in plastic pouches is a punishable offence. Ninety-nine per cent vendors also confirmed that there is no enforcement of the new rule in the market.”