Mangalore: Issue of Ban on Plastic Dominates MCC General Meeting
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Nov 30: The issue of ban on plastic in the city dominated the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) general meeting held at Mangala auditorium here on Friday November 30.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of MCC, Harinath said that the ban on plastic in the city was effective for some days, but now people have again started using plastics. "If plastics are to be banned completely, then proper awareness should be created in schools and colleges by distributing cloth bags," he said.
Deepak Poojary said that so far, none of the decisions taken by the MCC has been implemented properly. "Though people are not using plastic bags, these days new kinds of bags are hitting the market which too contain certain amounts of plastic. Even this should be banned," he said.
Corporator Naveen D’Souza said that plastic bags were still being sold in some shops. "I don’t see any official taking strict action on these shops," he said, urging the mayor to trace the root where plastics are being manufactured.
On the issue of collection of segregated plastic from houses, Harinath said that so far no move has started and asked mayor Gulzar Banu about the implementation of the plan.
In response, MCC commissioner Harish said that necessary tenders have been passed to collect waste and the same would be implemented within a few days. "We will also provide a helpline number where people can contact if waste is not collected from their house," he added.
About the new kind of plastic hitting the market, he said any kind of bag which contains plastic is illegal and banned.
Construction of Toll Gate Opposed
Revathi K briefed about the upcoming toll gates being constructed near NITK and Suratkal. She said that it was illegal as minimum distance between toll gates should be at least 80 km. "This will also create problems to the locals as they will have to keep on paying toll fee if they have to go around," she said.
In her support, Naveen D’Souza said that it was illegal to construct a toll gate under MCC limits and asked the mayor to stop this project.
In reply, mayor Gulzar Banu said that a letter will be sent to the district commissioner in this regard.
The mayor said that a sum of Rs 8 crore on water bills was due and asked the officials to collect the amount soon.
Mariamma Thomas in reply said that there was a complaint by people that they did not receive water bills on time. "Some people have received bill of several months together. When this is the condition how can we put pressure on them, as it is our fault?
Various other discussions like maleria, bills, drainage problems at several places were also discussed.
Amitha Kala, deputy mayor, James D’Souza, Gretta Rebello, Shashidar Hegde, Ashraf among others were present.