City Municipal Corporation’s efforts to raid wholesale shops selling plastic items less than 40 microns in thickness in Shevapet turned little success as over 100 owners downed their shutters and prevented officials from carrying out the raid.
With pressure mounting from environmentalists to implement the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, a team led by City Health Officer K.V. Arjun Kumar and officials raided two shops in Shevapet and seized banned plastic bags weighing around 175 kg.
ArgumentsAs the news spread, over 150 wholesalers closed their shops and entered into argument with the officer.
Though the officer clarified that selling plastic items less than 40 microns in thickness is banned as per law and the corporation has passed a resolution to this effect, the wholesalers failed to heed his words.
As noisy situation prevailed, corporation officials left the place and later the owners reopened their shop.
Mr. Arjun Kumar and officials later raided a private plastic manufacturing company in SIDCO Industrial Estate near Omalur Main Road.
The plastic items when measured using micrometer were found to be less than 40 microns in thickness. A fine of Rs. 5,000 was levied on the company.
