Plastic ban: Chennai Corpn seeks govt nod for penalty

With the ban on plastic set to come into force in another two days, the Greater Chennai Corporation has adopted a resolution seeking the State government’s nod to impose penalty on offenders.

“The Solid Waste Management rules (2016) of the Central government permits the local bodies to levy a fine on those who litter public places. A resolution was passed in a recent special council meeting to incorporate the rules and to seek the State government’s nod to levy a penalty against plastic users,” a corporation source told DT Next.

When contacted, a higher official confirmed the move. He explained that penalty in different slabs would be levied (if the government permits) on residences, commercial establishments, traders and manufacturers. However, the official refused to state the fine amount that the civic body proposes to levy.

Further, the corporation, in its action plan to implement the ban on one-time use plastic items, has mentioned that the officials would issue notices to the manufacturing units from where the banned products are seized and levy a penalty as per the slabs prescribed by the corporation council and the State government.

Presently, the civic body officials seize plastic materials less than 50 microns from manufacturing units without levying any penalty on them.

Meanwhile, the corporation has formed divisional and zonal level squads to effectively monitor and implement the plastic ban.

“Arrangements have been made at division offices to collect the 14 types of banned items. Residents, traders, hoteliers and others should hand over them before December 31,” an official press release said, adding the collected plastic materials would be sent to shredding units to be mixed with tar while laying bituminous road. 

Significantly, the corporation, which collects plastic bags every Wednesday, has used about 1,544 tonnes of plastic to lay plastic bituminous roads spanning 313 km within its limits.

Prison inmates make cloth bags

In an intiative aimed at supporting the plastic ban, the inmates of Tiruchy central prison have started making cloth bags.

“Initially, we planned to sell these cloth bags only at the prison bazaar. But following the good response, we are thinking of making these bags available in other markets too. Since the price and quality are good, we have received many orders. 

The bags will be available from Monday,” said DIG Shanmuga Sundaram, adding that the inmates have been provided training.