Pondy Govt may ban polythene

Puducherry, Dec 5 (UNI) The Puducherry administration is considering a ban on use of polythene bags in the Union Territory, Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced here today.

Speaking at a function to take enviornment awareness pledge here, he said 30,000 hectares of cultivable land here has been gradually reduced to 27000 hectares due to industrialisation with industrial units coming up besides residential colonies.

The agriculture department was adopting strategies to increase production in lesser land areas, he said, adding the forest department was taking steps for environmental protection here.

He said his administration would not give permission for setting up industrial units which would pollute the enviornment and utilse underground water.

As there was demand from different quarters for imposing a ban on polythene bags, which is polluting the enviornment, the administration is considering it, he added.

UNI