The Hindu 02.03.2013
Drive against thin plastic containers
Surprise checks conducted in Erode.
The Erode Corporation has intensified its drive against the usage of polythene containers of less than 40 micron thickness.
The
civic body joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and
started conducting surprise checks in the commercial establishments
since Wednesday.
Officials raided tea shops,
eateries, medical shops, grocery stores, textile showrooms and various
other commercial establishments in a few parts of the town and seized
huge amount of polythene carry bags, tea cups and shopping bags during
the raid.
The teams slapped a fine of Rs.24,000 on
eight merchants who were found providing polythene bags to their
customers to carry goods.
“We will conduct checks
more frequently to prevent the traders from using the banned polythene
bags of less than 40 micron thickness. These bags pose serious threat to
the environment. The trading community should co-operate with us and
stop distributing such bags to their customers,” a senior official in
the civic body said.
The civic body had also decided
to conduct more programmes to spread awareness among residents and
merchants on the adverse effects of using polythene bags, the official
said.
Banned
Officials said
the civic body had banned the manufacture and use of polythene
containers less than 40-micron thickness in the town limits. The ban
came into effect from May last year.
Manufactures of the banned carry bags would be slapped a fine of Rs. 5,000.
If
merchants or commercial establishments were found using the bags, a
fine of Rs. 3,000 would be collected, while the general public would be
fined Rs. 100, if they were found using the bags.
