The Hindu 01.10.2009
Bapatla says no to plastic
Special Correspondent
| Municipality bans its use at meeting |
Penalty to be imposed on producers, traders and buyers
Forum for Better Bapatla thanks council for acting promptly
GUNTUR: Bapatla has become the first municipality in the district to impose a complete ban on use of plastic bags and other plastic carrying/packaging items in the town.
The Bapatla Municipal Council on Wednesday passed a resolution to this effect at its monthly meeting.
Plastic goods producers/stockists and traders would be imposed a penalty ranging between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000.
The sellers would be punished with a penalty ranging between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 5,000.
The buyers/users of plastic material would face a fine of Rs. 250 and a maximum of Rs. 500.
Forum For Better Baptla had made a representation to the council to impose a ban on sale or use of plastic bags. The forum members thanked Municipal Chairman K. Mariyadas, Commissioner P. Niranjana Reddy and other councillors for acting promptly on the people’s request and for the welfare of the residents.
‘Good precedent’
The Municipal Chairman said that it would set a good precedent for other municipalities to make similar resolutions and implement it.
The Commissioner said that a task force was being created to make the implementation fool-proof.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board would also be consulted in the ways and means of implementation.
The APPCB also conducts surprise checks on dealers and hawkers on the gauge of plastic sued for carry bags so that it was not below 20 microns.
