Heavy fines for violating plastic ban in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Government on February 13, 2019 introduced a bill to amend laws relating to powers of municipal bodies to levy fines on those violating the ban on single-use plastics.

The bill proposes the imposition of fine ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1 lakh.

The government tabled the bill in the State Legislative Assembly to amend the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920, the Madurai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1971, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation Act, 1981, and the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act.

A fine of Rs 100 will be imposed for the use and distribution of single-use plastics by small commercial vendors when the offence is committed for the first time, Rs 200 for the second time and Rs 500 for the third time. The medium commercial establishments such as grocery and pharmaceutical shops will be fined for the use and distribution of single-use plastics. The offenders will be fined Rs 1,000 for a first time, Rs 2,000 for the second time and Rs 5,000 for the third time. Large commercial establishments like malls, textile shops and supermarkets will be imposed fines of Rs. 10,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 for every consecutive offence.

The storage, supply, transport, sale and distribution of single-use plastics will attract a minimum fine of Rs 25,000, Rs 50,000 for second-time and Rs 1 lakh for the third time offence.