Plastic ban no deterrent on poll material sellers in city

After AP Suryaprakasam filed a PIL against political parties using plastic flags and banners using bio-degradable plastic, the Madras High Court ordered notices to the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the chairman of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). In its reply, TNPCB said that the plastic flags and banners below 40 micron thickness will be removed immediately. 

However, some wholesalers say that the norm is not usually followed. “People want cheap and fast-moving products. Most retailers and buyers do not really care about the microns. We go ahead and sell with whatever is available. Some enthusiastic party workers come buy flags and stickers in bulk and go for the cheapest options,” says a seller based of Royapettah in conditions of anonymity.

Balajii who has been in the business of selling offset calendars, party flags, bags and stationaries for past 40 years, “We sell flags stickers and posters throughout the year but during elections, we start selling other items including umbrellas with party symbols, badges, plastic fans and placards,” says the owner of Balaji Offset Calendars. 

Those who live near the meeting venues say that these plastic materials cause much nuisance. Anusha S, a resident of Lloyds road, says, “Posters are now seen in every street and it is impossible to remove all of them. Partymen buy flags and stickers for election campaigns, but once it is over, they dump it at the venues itself. Sometimes some party workers stock banners and bamboos inside our premises to use it the next time.”