Prohibited material found in consignment from US: KPCB

Kochi, Oct 18 (UNI) A joint inspection by Customs and Kerala Pollution Control Board (KPCB) of three containers of consignments from United States here today revealed the presence of objectionable and prohibited material including municipal garbage.

KPCB Chairman G Rajamohan told UNI that the detailed examination of the three containers, carrying a load of almost 60 tonne, had revealed that it contained a ''substantial amount'' of municipal garbage and plastic waste.

The containers, which arrived at Cochin Port recently, were transported to the Container Freight Station at Pettah about two weeks ago.

A random check by the Customs officials found municipal garbage in the consignment, following which the department asked the KPCB to conduct a detailed examination.

Mr Rajamohan said the pollution control board would not allow the entry of the consignment into Kerala.

However, prima facie, there was no hazardous material in the consignment, he said.

Customs Deputy Commissioner N S Ramachandran also confirmed that the joint inspection team, comprising officials of the pollution control board and the customs department, had found that the consignment consisted mainly of plastic waste.

The consignment, imported from New York by Kochin Kadalas, a paper factory in Ambalamugal near here, was supposed to consist of waste paper only.

Mr Ramachandran said the customs would initiate legal action against the importer and issue a show cause notice to it.

Earlier, Customs Commissioner D D Ingty told UNI that other countries should not consider India to be a dumping ground for their municipal waste.

''We will not allow such consignments into the country,'' he said.

Last year, almost 15 containers of waste were seized and sent back from Cochin port, the Customs Commissioner added.

UNI