Date:16/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/16/stories/2007111653620700.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Action against failure to enforce plastic ban

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohamed Kutty has directed officials to cancel the licence of traders who contravene the ban on plastics at Sabarimala.

The Minister also directed the Director of Panchayats to take action against officials who fail to enforce the ban.

Mr. Mohamed Kutty urged the people to cooperate with the efforts of the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to keep Sabarimala temple and its surroundings clean. The Minister said that Sabarimala faced several environmental and health problems, as thousands of people visited the hill shrine. Last year, tonnes of plastic waste had accumulated at Sabarimala.