The Hindu 03.08.2012
Consumers may have to pay extra for carry bags
MCC’s draft bylaw fixes price depending on the size of the bag
The draft bylaw of the Mangalore City Corporation for plastic waste (management and handling) has banned retailers from giving plastic carry bags to customers in a bid to minimise usage of plastic.
The bylaw would come into effect only after the council of the civic body gives its approval. The corporation has drafted the bylaw following a decision taken at the State’s plastic waste advisory committee meeting in Bangalore earlier this year. The Secretary of the Urban Development Department had presided over the meeting.
The committee wanted all city corporations to enact a bylaw for including plastic waste management and handling rules 2011 and get it approved by their respective councils.
According to the draft, if any retailer gave carry bags free of cost or sold carry bags with thickness of less than 40 microns, the corporation would collect “pollution cost” from the trader. The corporation officials would slap a fine of Rs. 250 on the first-time offenders. If the crime was committed again, the trade licence would be cancelled.
According to the draft rules, manufacturers and stockists of unauthorised plastic carry bags are liable to face prosecution and other regulatory measures as conferred under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules made there under.
The bylaw proposes different prices for carry bags depending on the size. Details of prices (in brackets) fixed are: For carry bags of 9 x 12 inches and 9 x 15 inches (50 paise) ; 10 x 14 inches (75 paise); 13 x 16 inches (Rs. 1) ; 16 x 20 inches (Rs. 1.50); 17 x 25 (Rs. 2); 20 x 26 inches (Rs. 2.50); 24 x 30 (Rs. 3); 30 inches and above (Rs. 4).
The civic body has framed the bylaws under Section 423(29) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. It would be enforcing the authority of the bylaws under Rule 4 (b) of The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 and the Public Waste (Management and Handling) (Amendment) Rules, framed under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. According to the proceedings of the advisory committee held on February 24, 2012, the committee wanted all corporations to take steps to have separate waste collection points across the city with the help of plastic manufacturers association, rag pickers, and other stakeholders.
It wanted the Karnataka Plastic Association to work out modalities to purchase plastic waste from the waste plastic collection centres.
The committee wanted the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to conduct raids with the help of city corporations and file cases against those who sold unauthorised carry bags under plastic waste management rules, 2011.
- The bylaw would come into effect only after the approval of the council
- he civic body would slap a fine of Rs. 250 on the offenders
