The Hindu          01.12.2014 

Local bodies asked to act on plastic bag sale

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department
has written to district collectors asking them to direct local bodies to
take action against vendors around temples who use bags that are less
than 40-microns thick. This is part of its efforts to prevent the use of
plastic bags inside temples.

Around 50 large temples, including
Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Kapaleeswarar temple and Thiruverkadu
Karumariamman temple, have implemented a ban on use of plastic bags on
their premises.

“The
archakas
have been directed not to accept offerings with plastic covers. The
devotees are also being sensitised so they do not bring flowers and
other offerings in plastic bags,” said P. Dhanapal, commissioner,
HR&CE.

Temples have also procured bamboo baskets that are
provided to devotees who are unaware of the plastic ban inside temples.
However, shops outside the temples continue to give flowers to devotees
in plastic bags.

“In a few places like the Vadapalani Murugan
temple, vendors have agreed to provide baskets that can be reused. But
in other temples, they are not toeing our line. Local bodies have to
take action against such vendors, but they haven’t, which is why we have
written to collectors asking them to direct the civic bodies to
initiate action,” he said. Sources in the Chennai Corporation said the
civic body would initiate action if the HR&CE wrote to it.

“We
conduct periodic raids among wholesalers, dealers and distributors and
seize bags that are less than 40 microns thick. We target the source
rather than roadside vendors. If need be, we can still conduct a
specific drives around places of worship,” he said.

Around 50 large temples have implemented a ban on use of plastic bags on their premises