The Hindu 10.08.2012
Kottayam Municipality enforces ban on plastic items
The Kottayam Municipality has commenced operations to enforce the ban on plastic items. The authorities have launched a drive to inspect commercial establishments to make sure the ban is adhered to.
Though the municipality accepted the decision of the District Administration in June, a formal ban came into effect only on August 1.
It was later announced that raids would be conducted in all parts of the town to ensure the public abided by the directive. The raids conducted on Wednesday, near the Municipal office, revealed that only a few establishments complied with the ban.
A team led by Municipal standing committee (health) chairman V.K. Anil Kumar seized 18 kgs of plastic carry bags.According to Mr. Anil Kumar, the seized articles have been stored in a room of the Municipal office for the time being. He said that the State government has assured to provide a plastic shredder machine.
The seized plastic, after it is shredded, can be mixed with bitumen for tar-topping roads, said Mr. Kumar.As per the directive, establishments have been banned from using plastic bags thinner than 40 microns. An additional charge must be levied for those bags that are 40 microns or thicker.
Kottayam Municipal secretary P. Indrabalan Pillai said wholehearted efforts have been made to discourage the use of plastic items. To ensure the inspections are effective the Municipal authorities have constituted separate teams for various areas, viz. General zone (the locality around the Municipal office and erstwhile B zone of Nagampadom), A zone (Kanjikkuzhy), C zone (Market), D zone (Thiruvatthukal), Nattakom zone and Kumaranalloor zone. The inspections in each zone will be led by the Health Inspectors concerned. Two Junior Health Inspectors will be made available for each zone. Commercial establishments that violate the ban can be imposed fines ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 10,000 depending upon the nature of violation, authorities informed.
- 18 kgs of plastic bags seized in raid
- Violation of ban will invite fines up to Rs. 10,000
