TN to ban sale and use of plastics
By R.K. Radhakrishnan
CHENNAI, May 7. After banning cigarette smoking in public and sale of Œpan masala‚, the State government is now set to prevent use of all non- biodegradable plastics.

A bill seeking to ban sale, storage, transport and use of all non- recyclable plastics was introduced in the Assembly today, amid protests by the Tamil Maanila Congress and the Congress Jananayaga Peravai.

The Bill does not go into scientific details; on the micron-thickness which is generally used as a distinguishing factor, separating the reusable kind from the non-reusable genre, but merely explains what it considers non-biodegradable. This in view of the „urgent need for legislation to protect public health.
Violators caught selling, storing or transporting non-biodegradable plastics will have to pay a fine ranging from Rs. 500 to 25,000 while users will be punished with a fine between Rs. 100 and 500. Selling, storing, distributing or transporting any magazine or periodical packed in plastic wrapper could attract a fine between Rs. 1,000 and 5,000. Once the measure takes effect, „no owner or person in charge of any food establishment shall use or permit the use of any plastic article‰. Contravention will attract a fine between Rs. 5,000 and 50,000. If caught again, an additional fine will be levied, and it „may extend to Rs.10,000 for every day during which such contravention continues, after conviction for the first contravention.

The Forests and Environment Minister, P. Mohan, introduced the Tamil Nadu Plastic Articles (Prohibition of sale, storage, Transport and use) Bill, 2002, even as the senior TMC leader, S.R. Balasubramaniam, and the CJP leader who won on DMK symbol, B. Renganathan, said they were opposing the Bill at the introduction stage itself.

The statement of objects and reasons notes: „There is a rapid increase in the use of plastic articles, particularly of non-reusable carrybag, cup, tumbler, plate, spoon, fork, straw, string, cord, sheet, mat and such articls made of, or containing plastic, particularly in retail shops, hotels including residential hotels, restaurants, canteens, marriage halls, eating houses and other places where food is prepared, served or supplied for consumption. Plastic is non-biodegradable. The aforesaid, non-reusable plastic articles are thrown away after one-time use. This causes a significant environment risk and health hazards. Further, muncipal solid waste, much of which consists of non-biodegradable plastic material, stored in landfills contaminates underground water, causing serious health hazards, besides obstructing the seepage of rainwater into land, thereby hindering recharge of ground water‰.