The Hindu : Use of election-related plastic publicity material banned

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 29, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Use of election-related plastic publicity material banned

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, MARCH 28. Plastic buntings and banners that were part of campaigning have been banned from being used as publicity material during the elections this time.

The ban is part of the Nirmala Nagar Yojana being implemented by the Government in 31 towns in the State.

Introduced by the Mysore City Corporation, the ban may have come as a disappointment to the political parties that were using public places to put up hoardings or tie banners that were made out of plastic sheets.

The ban comes in the wake of political parties using historical buildings, heritage sites and other important public places to display their banners during rallies or other political functions.

While the Krishna Raja Circle in the heart of the city remained the worst affected, various other important buildings also bore the brunt of the excessive publicity.

However, even as the authorities sought to implement the ban in the city, the political parties went ahead with their plans of putting up hoardings made out of plastic.

With digital technology coming into play, a large number of posters have been prepared out of glossy sheets, and the quantity of paper-based products have come down.

The excessive use of plastic banners and buntings also became an eyesore in Mysore, especially during the tourist season.

Being an important tourist destination, according to officials, the ban on plastics became imperative because of the aesthetics involved in the tourism industry.

Apart from this, plastic material have become a threat to the health of domesticated animals that consume them.

Meanwhile, the officials have pointed out that once the banners and buntings were put up, the activists or the leaders of the parties will not take the responsibility of removing them.

Besides the Union Government, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has issued directions banning the use of plastic banners, buntings and other publicity-related material. It has also sought to impose a fine of Rs. 5,000 on those violating these orders.

The order of the Pollution Control Board explicitly directs the political parties to refrain from sticking plastic banner or tying buntings in any place of the city. In case of non-compliance with this, the City Corporation Commissioner has said that the issue will be taken up with the Election Commission.

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