The DMK on Friday questioned in the Assembly why food packaged by multinational companies in plastic materials were not banned in Tamil Nadu.
Party MLA Geetha Jeevan asked why plastic bags used by small and poor shopkeepers were banned but the plastic used to package food products like chips sold by multinational companies were not.
Responding, K.C. Karuppannan, Minister for Environment, reiterated, “It is not a full plastic ban. Only 14 types of plastics are banned.”
He added that the State government would look into the issue.
Heated exchange
Meanwhile, there was heated exchange between DMK and AIADMK members after Minister O.S. Manian spoke about the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja and alleged that a political party cadre was involved in spreading a doctored video of him to create confusion.
Following the protests, the Speaker said the name of the political party would “temporarily” not be entered into the records of the Assembly pending confirmation.
The Minister asked if it was fair on the part of the Opposition parties to protest on the third day after the unprecedented cyclonic winds hit Tamil Nadu.
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would soon inaugurate three super specialty hospitals in Thanjavur, Tirunelveli and Madurai built at a total cost of ₹450 crore, he said. He also spoke about the efforts taken by workers from TNEB and workers from other States to get electricity back on the grid in cyclone-affected areas.