After when the Market Management Committee (MMC) seized 1.5 tonnes of banned plastic material from the Koyambedu market complex, Greater Chennai Corporation made up their mind to charge a massive penalty on the violator.
Corporation officials added that the shop will be locked until evaluation of the seized material. “We will impose a fine of Rs 25,000 on him for storing and supplying banned material.
“From Monday onwards, we will levy fines on everyone including users,” said a corporation official who said that fines have been drafted according to government order.
The chief administrative officer of MMC named S Govindarajan, told TOI that an active team has been seizing plastic bags and other kind of items from the Koyambedu market complex. Nonetheless, since the supply of plastic carry bags was regular, they wanted to find where they are actually coming from.
“We got information that shop number GA 31 was supplying these bags to the vendors. So we searched the shop on Thursday and have locked it. We have informed corporation officials who will inspect the seized material and take action,” said Govindarajan.
“We have been creating awareness among shop owners and have taken measures to implement the ban,” said an official.
Since January 1, the corporation seized around 250 tonnes of banned plastic items.
The place at which highest seizure was recorded was from Kodambakkam zone where about 55.5 tonnes of banned material was confiscated followed by Royapuram where 25.7 tonnes were seized. About 4 tonnes were seized in the last fortnight.
Corporation commissioner G Prakash told TOI that the civic body has been frequently creating awareness campaigns at corporation schools and holding meetings with residential welfare associations. “We will host a workshop on alternate products available in the market for the banned plastic items in July,” he said.
Inputs From TNN