Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)

Mangalore, Aug 8:  Taking note of the high usage of plastic bags of unstandard qualities by residents and the roads of Mangalore being regularly scattered with the same, the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada M. Maheshwara Rao has initiated a drive against this irrational practise in the city, briefed Mr. Ajit Kumar Hegade, joint commissioner to media persons here, on Tuesday, August 7.

With this end in view, Rao set-up two plastic control and awareness squads last week. These squads immediately without wasting any time swung into action in the city. They conducted the first round of raids on the shops vending plastic bags, those of who were not in accordance with the prescribed gauge.

The joint commissioner Ajit Kumar Hegade himself heading the first squad, conducted the first raid and successfully unearthed unstandard plastic bags (less than 20 microns) in large quantities from one of the traders near Fathima stores, in central market. They also raided some of the shops in the vicinity and found out that banned plastic bags in weird colours were being used as packing material for even food and vegetables which was not only harmful but also illegal.

Elabourating on the said drive plan Hegade informed that the DC M Maheshwara Rao who is also the administrator of Mangalore City Corporation and the Commissioner of the Mangalore City Corporation Krishnappa Poojary had convened a special meeting to counter plastic pollution in the city and formed two squads. The other squad was headed by the health officer of the City Corporation. 

In case of people violating the orders, the corporation plans on taking even more 'serious' measures for controlling irrational use of plastic bags in the city stated Hegade. However, he felt it was too early to divulge the details.

Hegade also opined that these raids were token raids and felt that the need of the hour was for an awareness campaign to be directed at educating the consumers, who demand plastic bags even for small purchases.  They said campaign hoped to inspire the consumers to take their own bags to the shops, he added.