Polluting the environment:Officials of Pollution Control Board and
Corporation seize banned plastic bags from shops near market in
Tuticorin on Friday.— Photo: N. Rajesh
In a drive launched by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control
Board officials in association with the Corporation authorities, 40, 000
kilogram of banned plastics were seized here on Friday.
During
the surprise raid at shops located beside the market on Jeyaraj Road in
Tuticorin Central, the banned plastic carry bags and plastic cups were
stashed in egg selling shops and other grocery stores.
The
plastic bags, which had been stored in six shops, were sold on a
wholesale basis, M. Murugan, District Environmental Engineer, TNPCB,
Tuticorin, who led the drive, said.
The seized
plastics were found to be below 40 microns in violation of plastic
manufacturing rules. Moreover, the bags were misbranded sans proper
address of manufacturers.
A fine of Rs. 3, 000 was imposed against the offenders who were involved in stashing the banned plastics.The
district administration is keenly involved in eradicating plastics,
causing harm to the environment, which should be protected at all costs.
Collector Ashish Kumar had instructed the officials to conduct raids at frequent intervals, he said.Public should also extend cooperation in abolishing plastics to protect the environment, Mr. Murugan also said.
Consumers
should carry bags as insisted by the Pollution Control Board officials
instead of approaching the shops with empty hands.
The recommended bags were obviously available in many shops.Thirumalsamy, Sanitation Inspector and other personnel of corporation were also involved in the operation.
