Udupi CMC to ban plastic from September 15

Udupi CMC will ban plastic bags in all forms from September 15, said CMC President Kiran Kumar. The decision has been taken in order to protect the serenity and maintain healthy atmosphere in the area, he added.

Retorting to a query raised by the member Devendra Prabhu here at CMC general body meeting, the President said the temple town has many number of sightseeing places that grab the attraction of the tourists. He said that there is need to take stern measures to protect the area from pollution that is hazardous to the environment and also to the beautification of the land. The increasing use of plastic bags especially in temple
surroundings and also on the beaches has proved detrimental to the health of the people.

He said that plastic plates and cups used in functions will be banned besides the black plastic bags used by fisherwomen to supply the fishes will also be banned, he added.

Member Mohan Upadhyaya said that the shop keepers and other retail vendors in Malpe port are not paying any tax to CMC despite the fact that CMC has made all arrangements to provide them infrastructural facilities. The CMC President said that the revenue department officials have collected detailed information about the shop keepers. They will be issued licenses shortly and also door numbers to their shops, following which tax will be collected from each shop keeper in the area.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Raghupathy Bhat said that there is shortage of funds to take up land acquisition process for widening of Kalmadi stretch. He assured that if government releases funds under Nagarotthana scheme, the project can be considered, he added. The other issues that were discussed on the occasion were drinking water problems, parking issues, street lamps and procuring licenses from CMC for new buildings.