Plastic ban from today

The ban imposed by the City Corporation on use of plastic carrybags below 50 microns will come into force on Friday.

Mayor V. P Prasanth said the civic body will start imposing fine and seek action against outlets using carrybags below 50 microns.

“However, for the first 15 days, it will be more on creating awareness than on penalizing violators. In case there is any violation after July 15, we will take stern action,” he said.

The Corporation will procure 1 lakh holograms from C-DIT for providing it to wholesale dealers. The dealers have been asked to affix holograms on plastic carrybags above 50 microns. The holograms will be made available to the shops by July 15. The shops have been asked not to provide plastic bags free of cost.

For carrybags between 51 and 60 microns, the proposed rate is Rs. 6. Of this, Rs.3 will go to the civic body. For carrybags between 61 and 70 microns, the proposed rate is Rs.7, with the Corporation getting Rs.4. For bags above 70 microns, the proposed rate is Rs.8. The rate of carry bags had to be billed, he said.

The Corporation will embark on a major awareness campaign soon. Finance Minister T. M. Thomas Isaac will inaugurate the Corporation’s anti-plastic drive at a function to be held at St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School on Friday.