Mangaluru: As concern is growing worldwide over plastic pollution, India is all set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups and straws from October 2. Although the maximum share of plastic use is seen during election campaigns, party meetings, workers’ conferences and other programmes, the major political parties of the Dakshina Kannada district have expressed their support for the Central government’s move.
It can be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted, during his Independence Day speech, that the Union Government would take the first big step by banning single-use plastic from Gandhi Jayanti, October 2. The banned plastic items include bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets.
Though the ban on plastic is not a new initiative and already exists in parts of the country, it has not been strictly implemented so far. India lacks an organised system for the management of plastic waste, leading to widespread littering across towns and cities. However, Modi has now announced the strict implementation of the ban from October 2 onwards.
Every political party admits that banning plastic items is a good decision as it pollutes the environment. However, they are not keen on implementing it on their own.
Puttur MLA and Dakshina Kannada district president of BJP Sanjeeva Matandoor told Newskarnataka.com that the district BJP unit will welcome the Union Government’s move as it is the need of the hour. “We have already started using steel plates at our programmes to serve breakfast and lunch instead of plastic cups and plates. The party will start conducting awareness programmes in order to educate the people about the ill-effects of plastic items and encourage them to use steel plates and cloth bags,” he said.
Dakshina Kannada district JD(S) president Mohammed Kunhi also welcomed the ban saying that the party will accept the decision as it is for a better future. “If measures are taken to implement this ban strictly, we will support it,” he added.
MLC and Dakshina Kannada district Congress president Hareesh Kumar also welcomed the move, although he was a little sceptical. “The ban should not be for names-sake. It should be implemented properly. We will not oppose the government’s decision in this regard just because we are the opposition. We will accept the ban as it is a good decision,” he said.
