Tirupati plastic-free from Gandhi Jayanthi

Tirupati: After three months of campaign promoting awareness on the ill-effects of plastic, the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) is all set to implement the ban on its use from October 2 in the temple town.

The MCT's counselling with traders was mostly on persuading them to sell alternative products to the people. It has taken the residents, plastic sellers and wholesale dealers on board and explained to them how plastic could cause havoc with the human life.

The civic body roped in shop owners, fast food vendors and hoteliers also on the proposed ban on plastic. Officials warned the vendors against selling plastic covers, cups, plates and other non-degradable materials in the city and switch over to promoting eco-friendly materials.

After the imposition of ban, there would be no counselling but only action against those who either sell plastic, in the form of imposition of penalty and revocation of the trade licence and other permissions.

As per the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act 1955, which applies to the MCT, the civic authorities of  Tirupati have already submitted a note file to Commissioner Vijaya Rama Raju on imposing penalty on vendors who sell plastic covers, cups and plates.   

The fine would be Rs 1,000 on the first-time offender and Rs 25,000 if there is a repeat. If any trader continues to flout rules governing the ban, his trade licence would be cancelled.   

The city at present is facing serious threat from plastic covers, cups, plates and other forms of plastic. Many drains in the city are clogged with plastic litter, hindering free flow of the drain water. “We have counselled with the traders against selling plastic products.

We expect compliance from them. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other merchant associations have responded positively. Many traders have begun selling alternative products already. The people too have realised the importance of bidding goodbye to plastic, MCT secretary Y Manohar told The Hans India.