Usage of plastic material having less than 40 microns thickness is also banned
Representational image
Rajahmundry: In a bid to keep Rajahmundry plastic free, the food safety authorities directed the manufacturers of packaged drinking water not to supply water packets of 200 ml in city limits. There are over seven manufactures of packaged drinking water having BIS certification supplying packaged drinking water located in areas including Morampudi Junction, Kav-alagoyyi, Satellite City, Ko-rukonda Road, Vemagiri Junction and other areas.
Based on the directions from the Godavari Pushkaralu special officer J. Murali in a meeting held recently, the food safety authorities communicated to the manufacturers not to supply sachets of 200 ml and warned of initiating action if they failed to comply with the directions. However, the manufacturers can supply packaged water in containers of the capacity of 500 ml, one litre and 20 litres without any restrictions.
The food safety authorities are also entrusted with the task of not allowing supply, sale and carrying of water sachets of 200 ml at the bathing ghats in both the Godavari districts during the 12-day fete of Godavari Pushkaralu. Accordingly, the authorities have worked out a plan of action for implementation of ‘No plastic zone’ at the ghats.
A team of 10 food safety officers drawn from Sri-kakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam headed by food assistant controller of Kakinada will keep vigil at the ghats. Similarly, nine food safety officers drawn from Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore headed by food assistant controller of Guntur will be placed at West Godavari to ensure that no water sachets will be supplied, sold and carried to the bathing ghats.
Food assistant controller R. Nageswaraiah said, “We have instructed the manufacturers of packaged drinking water not to sell water sachets until further orders and we have come up with a plan not to allow these sachets at bathing ghats during the 12 days of the Godavari fete.”
On the other hand, as the Pushkaram special officer imposed ban on usage of plastic material having less than 40 microns thickness in city limits, the authorities have started penalising those who are flouting the orders.
Municipal corporation additional commissioner P. Sakala Reddy said, “We have collected fine worth Rs 28,150 from April 15 onwards for flouting the orders issued on plastic use in the city.”
( Source : dc )
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