Page 68 - Plastics News March 2020

in the news

TN scraps development of PCPIR BMC revives drive against

single-use plastic
amil Nadu government announced that it is scrapping
Tthe Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Investment Region (PCPIR) project following opposition ith State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray on
from the people and others. As per original plan about WFriday reiterating his pledge to make Maharashtra
57,345 acres in 45 villages in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam single-use plastic free by May 1, starting Sunday, BMC
districts would constitute the PCPIR. People and political will revive its special drive against single-use plastic
parties were opposing the project as the two districts by hawkers as well
come under the Cauvery delta region-the rice bowl the as in markets,
state. Those who opposed the PCPIR said the petroleum sh op s a n d
and petrochemical projects would affect agriculture. establishments,
banquets, offices
Also the state government’s announcement sas brought
relief to farmers and activists in the delta. They, however, and restaurants
requested the government to the ban use of hydraulic of Mumbai. The
fracturing technology in the delta districts, saying it was government had
detrimental to ecology. Welcoming the government''s banned the use of
decision to scrap the project PMK Founder S. Ramadoss disposable plastic,
said his party was against the PCPIR as it would turn the including plastic
region into a desert. He said the party also demanded bags, cups, spoons, plates and tiffin containers among
declaration of the Cauvery delta region as a protected others, in March 2018. It had given three months to
agricultural zone. The Tamil Nadu assembly passed a Bill users, retailers and manufacturers to get rid of such
declaring the Cauvery delta region, comprising Thanjavur, items and ban had come into effect on June 23.The
Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, some portions of Cuddalore and ban, which imposes a penalty between Rs 5,000 and Rs
Pudukottai districts, as the Protected Special Agriculture 25,000 for those violating the rules, was the brainchild
Zone (PSAZ). The Aaditya. However, after about a year, the drive
Bill, introduced lost momentum and single-use plastic is now freely
by Chief Minister available in the market. Following the ban, BMC had set
K. Palaniswami, up the blue squad — a team of 310 officials from shops
excluded the and establishments, license and market departments —
Trichy, Ariyyalur to inspect and confiscate banned plastics. Now, it has
and K ar ur decided to set up such teams for each of the 24 wards
districts -- also in the city. The teams have also begin inspections from
the part of the March 1. Earlier Through a video conference, Aaditya
Cauvery delta had held a meeting with senior officials from districts,
region, and environment department, Maharashtra Pollution
existing industrial projects. Palaniswami said including Control Board and BMC on February 4. Urging officials
the ongoing projects could have triggered legal problems. to make plastic ban a mass movement and successfully
As per the new law, zinc/copper/aluminium smelter, iron implement the ban by the end of 2020, he asked BMC
ore processing plants, tannery, hydrocarbon exploration to engage with school and college students, members
and other industries would not be permitted in the PSAZ. of clubs, housing societies and NGOs, among others.
The law excludes infrastructure projects, like building of The government had banned the use of disposable
harbour, laying of roads, pipelines, telecommunications, plastic, including plastic bags, cups, spoons, plates and
and water and power supply lines. sIt also provides for tiffin containers, among others, in March 2018. It gave
setting up of Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone three months to users, retailers and manufacturers
Authority, headed by the Chief Minister. The Authority to get rid of such items, after which a ban came into
will have 30 members. effect on June 23.

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