Shoppers to get no free plastic bags

HYDERABAD: GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu has issued a circular directing officials to impose penalties of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 on manufacturers and Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 on retailers and traders, using plastic carry bags below 40 microns from July 16.Till July 15, plastic carry bags, less than 40 microns in thickness, will only be seized, Krishna Babu said. The commissioner asked enforcement authorities to focus on manufacturers and whole-sellers in the initial period. In case of repetition of the same offence, the establishment would be seized.No carry bags would be made available free to consumers, with the minimum price `2 for plastic bags of less than 40 microns and `5 for bags of more than 40 microns.Meanwhile, mayor Karthika Reddy and Krishna Babu inspected various shops in the twin cities on Friday and found as many 670 traders possessing carry bags of less than 40 microns. GHMC officials have seized about 2.836 kg of carry bags.The commissioner has stated that no person should manufacture, stock, distribute or sell any carry bag which is less than 40 microns in thickness and none should use carry bags made of recyclable plastic for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging food stuffs.