Government agencies told to educate people on plastic ban

 Bengaluru Development Minister K J George has suggested government agencies to educate the people and the traders on the ban imposed on plastic items.

Addressing the gathering at a training programme on plastic ban organised by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), the minister said, “The government agencies should hold awareness programmes on ill effects of using plastic materials. Plastic waste is creating hurdles in smooth disposal of waste.”

BBMP commissioner, senior officials from Commercial Tax, Police, Transport, Food and Civil Supplies, Forest and Ecology and Meteorological departments among others attended the programme.

The state government, on March 11, had issued a notification to ban the manufacture, supply, sale and use of plastic items including buntings, plates, plastic cups, spoons and other plastic items.

A 12-member delegation from Latin American and Caribbean nations met Minister K J George on Tuesday. They discussed various issues including the possibilities of investing in Karnataka. Minister George also interacted with Chairman of the Fourth State Finance Commission C G Chinnaswamy and members.

The commission was set up by the government to review financial positions of the zilla panchayats, taluk panchayats, grama panchayats, city/town municipal councils and town panchayats.