Guwahati: Gregory Thejawelie, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima, said in a notice that the manufacturing and use of single-use plastics in the Kohima district has been prohibited with immediate effect.

According to the notice issued, the DC of Kohima advised that the thickness of carrying bags made of virgin or recycled plastic should not be less than 75 (seventy-five) microns as of September 30, 2022, and 120 microns as of December 31, 2022. Furthermore, non-woven plastic carry bags must weigh at least 60 grammes per square metre (GSM) by September 30, 2022. The following single-use plastic commodities, including polystyrene thermocol) and expanded polystyrene will be forbidden from July 1, 2022: earphones with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, and candy sticks. plates, cups, glasses, silverware such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) banners smaller than 100 micron, stirrers

All other provisions specified by the "Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016" and "Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021" shall also be rigorously followed, according to the ruling. The DC of Kohima has informed all persons, institutions, and commercial enterprises (educational institutions, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, religious institutions/faith-based institutions, industrial establishments, banquet halls, and so on) in the district of the prohibition and has warned that any violation would result in fines.