New Delhi (PTI): If you are still using banned plastic bags in the city, then be ready for prosecution which may land you in jail for five years and a fine of upto Rs one lakh.

Six months after banning usage of plastic bags in the city, the Delhi Government has designated powers to the civic bodies and concerned authorities to challan hotels, shopkeepers and hospitals violating the law.

"In a meeting held on Tuesday, officials from the municipal body, NDMC and health department who have been designated to challan the users including shopkeepers have been instructed to get into action," a senior official from Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said.

The team will begin from old Delhi which has several plastic godowns. The official said, the team will have powers to challan the violators but the amount of fine and punishment will be determined by the DPCC member secretary and environment secretary only.

On January 7, the Delhi government issued a notification banning usage of plastic bags in shopping malls, five star hotels, restaurants, dairys, fruits and vegetable outlets under the Environment Protection Act.

"In all these periods we were busy creating awareness among the users about the law and promoting alternative bags.

Now its time to crackdown on the violator," the official added.