Kerala traders ignore plastic ban

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After two months of intense campaign, the civic body’s efforts to make holograms strict on legal plastic covers over 50 microns have not garnered the expected results as most traders wouldn’t oblige.   In the city, which has an estimated population of over 10 lakh,  only around 7 lakh holograms could be sold in four months by the city corporation. While certain upmarket shops have obliged, bakeries, street vendors and restaurants largely would not yield, say health officials of field.

“Many shops, particularly those in Chalai and other markets,  sell illegal cover. During raids we had caught covers and slapped fine depending on the volume,” said a health officer. Apart from Rs 1 hologram on each cover, Rs 5 holograms should be bought and stuck over each bundle of plastic cover which can be sold only for a minimum of '8. However, most small traders sell covers for free along with the goods they sell.

Meanwhile, senior officials say  that the enforcement on plastic cover will be tightened once again by charging monthly fee on every trader who sells items in plastic cover. “The plastic waste management rules- 2016 of the central government allow civic bodies to collect pre-registration fee from traders for plastic. Very soon the corporation will hold a special council meeting to bring a bylaw. This will allow us to collect Rs 4000 every month from any trader who sells goods in plastic cover,” said Mr Anoop Roy, corporation health inspector (project
secretariat).