Sambalpur, Sept. 16: The civic body has formed a special squad to stop the use of polythene carry bags below 50 microns within the municipal limits.

Deputy commissioner of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Sudhansu Bhoi said: "The squad consists of officials of the municipal corporation, forest department and police. They will conduct raids on shops and impose fines on people who are found using polythene bags below the stipulated limit."

In February 15, last year, the civic body had banned the use of polythene bags below 40 microns. It had also organised a marathon and a walkathon to create awareness about the harmful effects of polythene carry bags. The corporation also conducted raids and fined people who used polythene bags below the stipulated limits.

The use of the impermissible polythene carry bags had been checked in the municipal limits because of frequent crackdowns. The civic body had collected Rs 3 lakh as fines from shopkeepers and carry bag users between February and May last year.

But, after a few months, the drive reportedly slowed down. As a result, many shops started using polythene bags again.

"Last year, we formed a team to conduct raids to check the use of polythene bags. However, after sometime, our officials didn't take the raid seriously as they became more busy with other civic works. So, people started using polythene bags again. But now, a new squad has been formed. The squad will conduct raids and slap fine on the shops using polythene bags below 50 microns," said Bhoi.

Earlier, the corporation fined people for using polythene bags below 40 microns. But now, according to the new rule, people found using polythene bags below 50 microns would be fined. The corporation has decided to slap a fine of Rs 200 on the shops found with less than 500 grams of polythene carry bags below 50 microns.

A fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on the shops found with more than 500 gram of polythene carry bags, Rs 5,000 will be fined for shops with 1kg to 5kg of polythene carry bags, Rs 10,000 for storing plastic bags between 5 kg and 10kg. The fine will be Rs 25,000 on commercial establishments found with more than 10kg of polythene carry bags.