Karnataka - Bangalore   

Traders fear ban on use of recycled plastic may hit business

By Afshan Yasmeen

BANGALORE, MARCH 20. K. Srikanth is not a happy man these days. He fears the recent ban on using plastic in election campaigning material may affect his business.

With the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), and the State Election Commission (SEC) seriously concerned over the use of banners and buntings made out of recycled plastic and polythene material in the campaigning for the forthcoming polls, Mr. Srikanth and many other traders like him who specialise in selling "Election Special" material are a worried lot.

"The practice of using polythene flags and buntings for campaigning during elections has been on the rise for the last seven years. Earlier, paper flags and buntings were used. But, there was a demand for polythene flags and buntings as publicity material made out of paper gets spoiled if it rains. Though the latter is cheaper, candidates prefer polythene flags and buntings," Mr. Srikanth, who is into the business for the past 13 years, said.

When told about the negative effects of selling polythene flags and buntings, Mr. Srikanth claimed that "high grade" polythene was used to prepare the election paraphernalia.

But the SEC and the BMP have made it clear to all political parties not to use polythene material that is less than 20 microns.

"The returning officers of all the 12 Assembly constituencies in the city are the enforcing authorities. They will keep a close watch on the use of recycled plastic," the Bangalore Rural District Election Officer, B.P. Kaniram, told The Hindu.

This apart, the KSPCB will also conduct random tests of banners and buntings put up across the city to find out if they are less than 20 microns.

"The aftermath of the polls will have a serious effect on the environment. Most of the recycled plastic used in the publicity material is non-biodegradable and is likely to increase the pollution levels in the city," a senior KSPCB official said.

The BMP, on its part, will ensure that political parties put up banners, buntings, and hoardings only after obtaining permission from the civic body, the Commissioner, M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, said.

"We have stipulated certain charges for permitting the parties to put up publicity material. We will keep a close watch and if any campaign material is put up illegally, we will penalise the party concerned on charges of violating the Karnataka Public Places Disfigurement (Prevention) Act," the commissioner said.

Pointing out that the BMP had not fixed any limit on the number of banners and buntings to be put up by the political parties, Mr. Murthy wanted the aspirants to abide by the rules. "If they apply for permission, I assure them it will be given immediately," he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Three women robbed of gold chains
• Traders fear ban on use of recycled plastic may hit business
• Bangalore is sizzling hot now
• No power cut today
• Monkey shot dead
• Six women get Swami Gnanananda Awards
• Mathematics laboratory opened
• Directory of humorists
• College puts counselling on hold
• Around The City
• In Bangalore Today

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu