Civic officials seized around 10 kg of poor quality plastics (below 40 microns) from traders and imposed fines amounting to `8,400 during surprise raids in market areas of Udhayendhiram and Natrampalli near Vaniyambadi in Vellore on Tuesday.
Town Panchayat officials conducted raids at shops in Mettupalayam, Pallipattu Road, Jafferabad Road and Officers Line in Udhayendiram and at RCS Main Road and Sandhai Roads in Natrampalli.
In Udhayendhiram 30 were identified as using poor quality plastic bags. Three kilograms of plastics was confiscated and a fine of `3,000 was imposed.
In Natrampalli, seven kg of plastic was seized and penalties of `5,400 were imposed on vendors at 21 erring outlets. Traders issuing poor quality plastics for the first time were fined `100, which would increase to `500 if they were caught a second time.
Udhayendhiram Town Panchayat executive officer Mohammed Rizwan said, “A resolution to ban usage of poor-quality plastics was passed at the Town Panchayat council meeting in September 2012.