Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Thin plastic carrybags to go

Special Correspondent

Paloli Mohammed Kutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Plastic carrybags below thickness of 30 microns will be banned in the State from March 1 as part of a series of measures being initiated by the Government to tackle environmental pollution, Minister for Local Self-Government Institutions Paloli Mohammed Kutty said here on Thursday.

In an official press release, he said the Government would not permit either the manufacture or use of such carrybags in the State from that date. Those found flouting the ban would be booked under the pollution control laws. He directed the departments concerned to issue necessary orders for this.

Slaughterhouses not complying with pollution control stipulations have been served with closure orders. The Government would ensure full compliance with the norms before allowing them to resume work. Biogas/septic tanks and soft-pits will be made compulsory for all slaughter houses.

He said environmental pollution was particularly serious in Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, resulting in frequent outbreak of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. The Government would launch a cleanliness drive in such regions, mobilising the participation of voluntary organisations. He said the Government would ask all the city corporations and municipalities to find land for setting up garbage treatment plants before March 31. Hospitals, convention centres, training centres and wedding auditoriums will have to compulsorily get `D&O' (Dangerous and Offensive Trade) licences from the local self-Government institutions concerned, besides permits from the Pollution Control Board.

Mr. Mohammed Kutty said polluting lakes, ponds and canals and setting the outlets of latrines open into such water sources would be made a criminal offence. He said these decisions were taken at a meeting of top officials of the Pollution Control Board, Local Self-Government Department and Clean Kerala Mission here.

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