Jammu, July 23: While Jammu region continue to grapple under the menace of polythene, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Pollution Control Board (PCB)-the two agencies authorized to enforce ban on its use are on loggerheads over the disposal of quintals of polythene confiscated over a period.  
 Tons of polythene material is awaiting proper disposal as the twin agencies are reluctant to take the responsibility of the same. .
 “We contacted PCB officials for the disposal of 25 quintals polythene bags seized from various parts of municipality limits. However, the PCB did not seem to be serious to dispose off the seized polythene bags as it refused to take the responsibility of its disposal,” a senior JMC official alleged whishing not to be named.
 About 25 quintal polythene including plastic bags were seized from various places falling in JMC limits, since the drive against its complete ban started in May 2009.
 He said: “We have now decided to take up the matter with the divisional commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal”.  The JMC official said: “It is not possible to note down the details of those from whom polythene bags are being seized during the drive.”
 Refuting the JMC allegations, former PCB regional director said: “PBC received a letter from the municipality over a month ago, in which, they (JMC) requested PCB to dispose off, the seized polythene bags.”
 The then PCB regional director said, the PCB denied disposal of the seized polythene, on the plea that they (JMC) had not completed formalities for the disposal i.e. confiscation was not conducted by them before coming to the board.
 We have asked the JMC authorities through a letter to furnish the confiscation details of the seized polythene bags first as only then it would be disposed off,” he said, while saying the confiscation was a legal action under which the ownership rights cease and prior to this the owner shall be given a chance   to prove this or her innocence.
 Citing an example, he said   nearly eight such cases of confiscation in district Kathua had come up and legal notices to them have been served giving them a chance to prove their innocence or end their ownership right over the seized material i.e. polythene bags.
 As off now, they have not done it, he alleged. “Municipal authorities should have confiscated the material in the presence of magistrate, but they have not done it due to which, the seized bags could not be disposed off,” he said.
 Notably, the drive against the polythene bags was started in the month of May, 2009 after the high court imposed ban on the use of polythene in J&K.
 However, over two dozen factories are still manufacturing the polythene bags illegally across Jammu city, while large quantity was being imported from Punjab illegally.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST