“With a view to protect the environment from hazardous effects of plastic, the Local Government Department has launched an intensive drive against the manufacturing, stocking, distribution, recycle, sale and use of the same in the state of Punjab.” Disclosing this here today, the Local Government Minister Brahm Mohindra said that considering it a great environmental concern as well as the main cause of choking of sewers/ drains leading to unhygienic conditions all over, the Government of Punjab has launched a massive drive by raids, seizers and heavy penalties on the manufacturers, stockists, distributors, recyclers, sellers and users of plastic.Divulging more, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that the officers of Urban Local Bodies and Punjab Pollution Control Board have been tasked with undertaking the drive. Raids are to be conducted on wholesalers, transporters and bulk sellers. He also said that bulk users of such carry bags like major sweet shops, fruit shops, malls etc are to be targeted during raids. The seized material is required to be confiscated and shredded. Factories manufacturing this material are to be closed down. The raids are being conducted jointly by Municipal Bodies and PPCB.He further said that the Government has directed the officers to send the report of raids, seizers made to the State Head Quarters and give wide press coverage of raids and seizers at local level for better impact.The officers have also been directed that they should not bow before any pressure and in case any person pressurises officers engaged in campaign against plastic carry bags, they should ask the person concerned to talk to Mr. Ajoy Sharma IAS, Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission or Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu IAS Mission Director, Tandrust Mission Punjab.