From:The Hindu

Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, MCC Commissioner C.G. Betsurmath, Deputy Mayor Vanita Prasanna and councillors releasing posters on the plastic ban in Mysuru on Wednesday; (right) a grocery shop at Ramakrishnanagar, near Andolana Circle, has put up posters asking customers to bring cloth bags on their own.– photos: by special arrangement

Those violating the rule could have their trade licence cancelled; plastic used for packing milk and dairy products exempted from ban

With the government issuing a gazette notification banning the sale and use of several plastic products in the State, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) on Wednesday announced that manufacture, sale and use of plastic products mentioned in the notification stand prohibited in the city as well.

The ban comes with immediate effect, said Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa and MCC Commissioner C.G. Betsurmath, and those violating the rule will be prosecuted and their trade licence could be cancelled.

The officials also released 15 types of posters on plastic ban for distribution among various businesses here.

New rule

Until now, use of plastic bags thinner than 40 microns was banned. But as per the new rule, there is a total ban on plastic carry bags irrespective of their thickness. All urban local bodies and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have been directed by the government to enforce the ban.

Quoting the notification, which was issued on March 11, Mr. Betsurmath said shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, traders and hawkers should not use carry bags, banners, buntings, flexes, flags, plates, and spoons and cups made from plastic. Plastic sheets used on dining tables and thermocol products too have been banned, and their manufacture and sale now restricted in the city.

The notification makes it clear that no industry or person should manufacture, supply, store, transport, sell or distribute the products mentioned.

Exempted

The plastic used for packing milk and other dairy products is exempted from the ban. As are the carry bags which constitute or form an integral part of the packaging of goods that are sealed right at the manufacturing and processing units.

In addition, the plastic bags and sheets used in forestry and horticulture nurseries and those produced exclusively for export purposes in plastic industries located in special economic zones/ export-oriented units have been exempted.

Mr. Betsurmath urged all residents to join hands with MCC in making the ban a success, and asked everyone to make cloth bags part of their routine.

Councillor ‘Snake Shyam’ said he would take up awareness programmes on the ban in schools. Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna, and councillors M.K. Shankar, Jagadeesh and others were present.