Begin typing your search...
Of 70L residents, only 1 opinion on plastic waste bylaws
Of the more than 70 lakh residents in the metropolis, only one resident responded to the Greater Chennai Corporation’s invitation to send opinions on draft plastic waste management bylaws 2019.
Chennai
According to Chennai Corporation sources, the suggestions were sent by GM Shankar, an advocate from Madipakkam a few weeks ago. The civic body prepared the draft bylaws and published the same on its official website on August 20. The residents were asked to send objections and suggestions with 30 days of the publication, so that the civic body could make corrections before preparing the final bylaws.
Apart from providing suggestions, Shankar also sought several clarifications, especially on details regarding members of ward-level enforcement squad. Speaking to DT Next, he said, “The draft bylaws were not prepared by keeping all the aspects and it is completely copied from solid waste management bylaws and pollution control board rules. There are clauses to levy penalty against the violators, bylaws should be clear. One could not levy penalty based on the unclear bylaws.”
He added that the Act names residents as plastic waste generators. But consumers are actually procuring products packed in plastic. “So, they should be called procurers of plastic waste.”
Pointing out public apathy over the Acts and rules, Shankar said that he had organised a meeting with some residents in his area to make them aware. “But, most of them could not understand the law and kept away from sending opinion. Even though I follow Chennai Corporation website frequently, I came to know about the publication of draft bylaws only four days later,” he said.
Unhindered by the poor response, the civic body had decided to go ahead and prepare final bylaws. N Mahesan, chief engineer (solid waste management), when asked whether the suggestion sent by the resident would be included in final bylaws, said that the decision would be taken after collating all opinions. “We are not going to extend the time for receiving opinions as the Central government is also taking steps against plastic. We are in advanced stages of implementing plastic rules,” he added.
Earlier, the civic body had appointed superintending engineers of three regions – North, South and Central regions, to collect public opinion. Even though Shankar urged the civic body to conduct public hearing meeting on the bylaws in zones, sources said that the final bylaws would be released with consultation. An official said that the revised bylaws would be sent to the government to get approval before incorporating them into the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act.
Tackling The Menace
- Chennai Corporation published the draft bylaws on August 20
- 30-day time given to the residents to send their opinions
- Only one resident sent his suggestion, which the officials are contemplating
- The resident has urged the civic body not to call the public as waste generators for purchasing items wrapped in plastic
- He also opines that recycling of plastic packets be made the responsibility of the FMCG
- The Corporation will release the final bylaws and incorporate them into the CCMC Act
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android
Next Story