Plastic national-flags: A cause for concern

BANGALORE: On the eve of Independence Day, the sale of plastic national flags at traffic junctions and roadsides across the city, was on full swing. With no specific rules and guidelines to curb the sale, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is left helpless.AS Sadashiviah, Chairman, KSPCB said, “With plastic flags remaining out of purview of the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011, we are finding it tough to curb its usage and take action against the manufacturers, sellers and the users.”The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011  , has mentioned the banning of plastic packets for gutkha and plastic carry bags below 40 microns, but it does not say anything about banning plastic flags. “This has been one major hurdle for us, we cannot take any action even if they are being manufactured and sold n large bulks,”  Sasashiviah said."Since there is no specific rule for us to control, we have made an appeal to the public asking them to abstain from using plastic national flags. In this case, the civic authorities can take up some measures,” he further added.Meanwhile, a BBMP official said, “The Deputy Commissioners have been alerted and any form of plastic usage below 40 microns is not  allowed.”However, the awareness measures does not seem to be much effective. Petty hawkers selling small plastic national flags and on the other hand customers buying the same, could be spotted in major traffic junctions and flag stores.Fluttering the big national flag Chennama, a 38-year-old lady  from K R Market was selling plastic national flags that came in various sizes at MG Road Junction. When asked, Chennama said, “A week ahead of the Independence Day and Republic Day, my husband and I get the plastic national flags from KR  Market and go across selling it at various traffic signals.”Comparing the plastic flags with the cloth ones Madigowda, another person selling plastic national flags at Corporation Circle, said, “Generally selling plastic flags are safe. Even if it rains it does not get wet.”