Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS) 

Mangaluru, Sep 1: Plastic ban rule is being implemented strictly from September 1 everywhere, including the city of Mangaluru. Anyone violating the rule will have to pay a heavy fine. 

State forest, environment and biodiversity ministry had brought out a plastic ban order in 2016. The member secretary of National Green Tribunal (NGT)-SLC (State Level Committee) has taken out a circular on August 27 to implement the said order from September 1 strictly under all the district administration, zilla panchayat, city corporations, town municipality and city municipality areas. The order also states to impose heavy fine and also take stringent legal action against the offenders. 

The state government had formed a state-level committee on February 13, 2019, under the guidance of National Green Tribunal, on the complaint that the plastic ban order is not being implemented effectively in the state of Karnataka. The committee had directed the government to take stringent action against the offenders as the rule is not being followed in the state. 

Madhu S Manohar, Environment engineer of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) says, "MCC has formed four teams under the direction of NGT-SLC. Every team will conduct three raids per week. The drive will start from Tuesday, September 3 itself." 

MCC commissioner has said in a publication that if the use or sale of plastic is noticed from September 1 during the inspection, all the prohibited plastic will be seized without any warning and a fine from Rs 1,000 to 10,000 will be imposed on the offender. If this directive is violated again, the action will be taken to cancel the trade license.