Mangalore: Plastic Ban - MCC Raids on Violators to Resume, says Dr Harish Kumar
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Dec 20: Renewing its efforts to bring about a complete ban on plastics in the city, a ban which had seemed to be losing its teeth of late, the Mangalore City Corporation has decided to resume its raid operation which had been temporarily stopped.
Addressing the 'Meet the Press' interactive session with journalists organized jointly by DK District Working Journalists Association and Press Club here on Thursday December 20, MCC commissioner Dr Harish Kumar said that raid operations by the MCC wing on violators was stopped temporarily as the home guard personnel were deputed in Subrahmanya Kshetra and Datta Peeta. "Once they are back in action, awareness campaign will resume in the district," he said.
"The MCC has formed 5 teams to create awareness on the hazards of using plastic. Though a few manufacturers have moved the high court questioning the decision of MCC to impose the ban, by creating awareness among the public Mangalore can become a plastic-free zone in the future," he said.
He added that merely imposing penalty or fine would not suffice. "Creating awareness is the key to achieving success," he said.
The commissioner who joined government service in the year 2006 had secured the first rank in KAS exam. A PhD holder in organic chemistry, Dr Harish Kumar has served as the assistant commissioner in Bhatkal and Puttur earlier. He was also the managing trustee of Shree Subrahmanya Temple.
Dr Harish Kumar said that a dynamic person is required to serve in the public sector and added that appointment of a public relations officer and formation of a vigilance cell headed by a circle inspector were on the cards.
On door-to-door garbage collection which has been started in some of the wards, and which will be a paid service from April 1, 2013, he said that the contractor will get Rs 30 per month from each house.
Regarding work of new Thumbay vented dam, he said that the water storage capacity of the new dam will be for 90 days (without inflow of water) and by December 2013, the work will be completed.
On delay in carrying out the repair work on three roads in Shivbagh, he said that just 4 to 5 contractors are not in a position to complete the work at a stretch, though they have worked throughout the year.
On the illegal use of underground parking spaces for setting up shops, he said that 33 illegal construction cases are in the district court. "The MCC has conducted eviction drive on all other illegal constructions," he said.
To a query, he also said that within 6 months a plant will be erected in Pacchanady wherein all the collected plastic will be converted to oil and exported.