The State government on Wednesday introduced Bills to amend laws relating to powers of municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats to levy fines on those violating the ban on single-use plastics.
The Bills propose the imposition of penalties ranging from ₹100 to ₹1 lakh.
The government tabled Bills in the Assembly to amend the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920, the Madurai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1971, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation Act, 1981, and the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act.
As per the proposals, a fine of ₹100 will be levied for the use and distribution of use-and-throw plastics by small commercial vendors when the offence is committed for the first time, ₹200 for the second time and ₹500 for the third.
Similarly, the use and distribution of use-and-throw plastics by medium commercial establishments like grocery and pharmaceutical shops will attract a fine of ₹1,000 for a first-time offence, ₹2,000 for the second time and ₹5,000 for the third.