Officials of the Vellore Corporation said raids would be conducted and fines would be levied against manufacturers, shops and consumers who use substandard plastics – below 40 microns.
The local body has been taking various initiatives such as organising seminars and consultative meetings with the public and members of various traders associations on banning the use of poor quality plastics.
As per the notification of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1999, Vellore Corporation had decided to strictly implement the ban. Fines levied will be as follows – Rs 10,000 on manufacturers of substandard plastic, Rs 8,000 on wholesale stores, Rs 5,000 on retailers, Rs 1,000 on shopkeepers and Rs 500 on consumers.
A resolution in this connection was passed at the Corporation council meeting in the month of February, noting that plastic wastes not only block the flow of drainage, but also affects the environment. After this, the local body took steps to publish the same in the District Gazette on April 5, 2013 and put up awareness messages in public places about the collection of fines.
Corporation City Health Officer, C R Priyamvatha said, “Suggestions on levying fines for using substandard plastics were given by the public and traders. As no opposition was raised either from the public or traders, the local body has planned to implement it.”
The Corporation would also identify plastic waste accumulation spots in the city to conduct mass cleaning programmes.