MCC implements DC’s orders on excluding plastics

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 26 2016: Pursuing the directives of DK DC  Adoor B Ibrahim, the MCC, Mangaluru City Corporation is using it’s powers to stop use of plastics in the city. The health and environmental engineering staff of the civic body are targeting plastic products such as carry bags, glasses, plates, cups, flags, buntings, flexes, banners, plastic sheets used on dining tables in marriage halls, plastics used for sale of chips, goods manufactured by thermocol and micro-beads.

The gazette notification dated March 11, states the state government imposed the ban on the manufacturing, storing and selling of plastic products. Incidentally, the government took the decision after studying objections received on ban of plastics from stakeholders. A decision to ban the use of plastic carry bags of less than 40 microns thickness across the country was taken in 2011. The state cabinet has left out water bottles, plastic sachets used for milk, plastic used for growing nursery plants and plastic used for drips in hospitals from the purview of the ban.

The government has empowered Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, deputy commissioners and commissioners of urban local bodies to take action against violators of the ban. Sources in the MCC  said the DC has given strict instruction to ensure there is no violation of the ban. The government staff have been clearing flex banners in and around the city, and also visiting shops that sell plastic items and educating people on the ban and not to violate the same, sources said.

Confirming  that all urban local bodies in Dakshina Kannada have taken up the drive, DC Ibrahim said in the city, the action of clearing flex banners has started along major circles and junction such as Hampankatta circle, A B Shetty circle and Dr B R Ambedkar (Jyothi) circle. "People have to wean away from their addiction to banners," he said, adding urban local bodies have also been directed to book cases against those printing such banners. There will be no exemption for religious or political banners, he said.