The State government has moved one step closer to the banning of plastic, irrespective of its thickness, across Karnataka.
On Thursday, the Forests and Ecology and Environment departments issued the draft notifications that seek to ban numerous plastic products. The Cabinet had, on October 20, approved the ban. The notification prohibits shopkeepers, vendors, traders or hawkers from using plastic carry bags, banners, buntings, flex boards, flags, plates, cups and plastic sheets (for spreading on dining table). Similarly, it prohibits industries or persons from manufacturing, supplying, storing or distributing these articles in the State. Industries who export these items will be exempted.
The notification empowers BBMP officials, deputy commissioners and revenue officers in districts and taluks, health officers and commissioners of local bodies, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officers, Commercial Tax Department and Food and Civil Supplies officials to enforce the ban.
The public can give their objections or suggestions for the proposed ban within November 28 to the Secretary to Government (Environment and Ecology), Forests, Environment and Ecology Department, No. 709, 4th Gate, 7th Floor, Multi-storied Building, Ambedkar Veedi, Bengaluru - 560001.
The notification prohibits shopkeepers, vendors, traders or hawkers from using plastic carry bags, banners, buntings, flex boards, flags, plates, cups and plastic sheets
