Local bodies in Cuddalore district on Wednesday passed resolutions banning plastic items within their jurisdiction and have also put restrictions on dumping waste and littering the surroundings. Official sources said penalty ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 10,000 would be imposed on offenders and it would be implemented from January 1, 2013.
In a special grama sabha meeting held at 683 village panchayats, 16 town panchayats and a few municipalities, a total of five resolutions were passed.
The resolutions pertained to a blanket ban on the use of plastic carry bags since these bags had been completely banned in the district. Secondly, no one in the district should manufacture or distribute or sell poly propylene, non-woven fabric type carry bags and thermocol. Thirdly, no one should use disposable plastic items like tea cups, water packets, gift wrappers and plastic sheets. If the authorities found anyone dumping waste in water bodies and sewage canals, they would levy heavy fines on the offenders. People should segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The biodegradable waste should be used as fertilisers and the non-biodegradable waste should be sent for recycling. Similarly, no one should litter public places.
In the meeting, it was decided that wholesale plastic dealers would be fined Rs 10,000 for violations, while retailers would be fined Rs 1,000 and roadside vendors Rs 200.