Mysore/Mysuru: Team of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) officials, lead by Chief Health Officer Dr. D.G. Nagaraj and Environment Engineer S. Mythri, raided a few shops in Devaraja Market here on Friday and have seized 250-kg of banned plastic covers and carry bags from Rekha Enterprises. Strict warning has been issued to the owner of the shop.

MCC Commissioner Shilpa Nag had recently stated that strict enforcement of plastic ban will commence from Apr. 5. The MCC officials have also issued warning to the shopkeepers not to sell the banned single-use plastic items in future, failing which stern action would be initiated against errant shopkeepers.

Despite issuing warning to shops and other manufacturing units in city, considerable number of traders were hiding the banned plastic items in their backyard in a concealed manner and were allegedly continuing to sell such banned plastic products. 

When MCC officials raided the premises of Rekha Enterprises on Friday, only areca leaf plates and bowls were on display in front of the shop. On searching the shop premises, MCC officials have found 250-kg of banned plastic covers and carry bags hidden in a concealed manner on the wooden deck in the backside of the shop.

According to reports, in an effort to hide such banned plastic products, some traders are even taking the third or fourth floor of multi-storeyed buildings in Shivrampet area for rent.

Meanwhile, the MCC is handing over all seized plastic covers and carry bags to an organisation by name Jagruthi Private Ltd., who in turn are manufacturing plastic furniture from the banned plastic materials. 

In this way, the seized plastic materials would not reach the traders again. Earlier, there were some allegations that some MCC staff were returning all the seized plastic goods back                                        to the traders. 

Authorities have claimed that the raids are a continuous process and strict action will be initiated against the violators from Apr. 5.