TNPCB sanctions Rs 10 crore for state-wide plastic eradication
As per the order, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will provide a total of Rs 10 Crore to the urban local bodies, including Greater Chennai Corporation.
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CHENNAI: Despite an existing ban, the environment department has issued orders to conduct plastic waste collection and awareness drives monthly in all the urban local bodies to curb the widespread usage of banned plastic items in the state.
As per the order, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will provide a total of Rs 10 Crore to the urban local bodies, including Greater Chennai Corporation. The move is based on an announcement made in the State Assembly during the 2024-25 budget session. Out of the Rs 10 crore, the highest allocation - Rs 75 lakh - goes to Chennai Corporation.
“Plastic waste awareness and collection drives will be held once every month across all 21 municipal corporations, 138 municipalities,490 town panchayats and 388 panchayat unions/blocks in the state. The collection drive could be located in a nearby public place identified by the local body, such as the playgrounds of a nearby government school or government college, parks, etc,” the order issued by department secretary P Senthilkumar said.
The local bodies should involve volunteers from Green Fellows, National Green Corps, and local NGOs for the collection drive. The order also suggests that local bodies put in place an incentive mechanism to encourage the public to contribute a significant quantity of plastic. It added that the incentive scheme could be explored with corporates through their CSR funds.
“District collectors and local bodies are encouraged to converge additional funding through central and state government schemes, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, as well as through collaborations with industry and CSR partners, to cover any extra expenses related to the collection drive,” the order stated.
Moreover, a baseline study on plastic usage will be done as part of the initiative. During collection drives, municipal workers should be engaged along with volunteers. Also, the order stated that a drive for e-waste should be conducted in major municipal corporations.