Karnataka government mulling 5 per cent additional tax on plastic: CM Kumaraswamy
The state government is considering a proposal to impose 5% additional tax on manufacture and sale of plastic materials, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy announced here on Tuesday.
Published: 06th June 2018 05:00 AM | Last Updated: 06th June 2018 05:00 AM | A+A A-
Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy inuaugurated pollution control board vehicles at the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall in Bengaluru on Tuesday | pandarinath B
BENGALURU: The state government is considering a proposal to impose 5% additional tax on manufacture and sale of plastic materials, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy announced here on Tuesday.
He was addressing school students at an event to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) by the Forest Department.
Speaking on the use of plastic, he said though there are laws to keep check on production, sale and use of plastic, its usage had increased rapidly, and the government has resolved to bring it under control. “Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had first brought in laws to regulate the use of plastic,” he added.
Kumaraswamy emphasised that not just government institutions, but everyone should put in efforts for the environment. He said in the name of development, the area covered by lakes had shrunk and trees which were centuries old were being chopped. “We only have ourselves to blame for all of these developments,” he said.
The CM said every year documentation of saplings planted by BBMP was done, but the saplings existed only on paper, and urged every household to plant one sapling each. He also encouraged usage of handicrafts as they were eco-friendly. To stop migration of farmers to cities, he said they needed to be made economically stable.
The event, at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, was also attended by Malleswaram MLA CN Ashwath Narayana, BBMP Mayor Sampath Raj, Sandalwood actor Darshan and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board chairman Lakshman.
