Udupi : Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said on Friday that the use of carry bags and other materials made of plastic has been banned in the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) limits.

She was chairing a meeting on the issue of banning plastic use at the District Offices Complex, here.

Ms. Francis said that all hotels, malls, bars, restaurants, provision stores and book centres should use bags made of eco-friendly materials.

“Under no circumstances should covers or bags made of plastic should be given to customers,” she said. She said that business establishments and traders should instead use bags made out of cloth or paper.

Such bags were being manufactured by many self-help groups (SHGs) in the district. Hence the business establishments and traders could approach them for such bags, Ms. Francis said.

The businessmen and traders, who participated in the meeting, agreed to adhere with the Deputy Commissioner’s directions.

They pointed out that plastic bags were not being manufactured in the district. But plastic covers were coming from other States to the district and this should be stopped, they said.

Ms. Francis directed the police department to set up check posts at railway stations and bus stands and seize any plastic materials coming from other places.

She also directed the CMC Commissioner, D. Manjunathaiah, to hold an interaction programme of self-help groups manufacturing cloth and paper bags with the businessmen. An exhibition of bags made of cloth and paper should also be held, she said.

“We should make Udupi, a plastic-free, clean and beautiful district. We request everyone to cooperate with us in achieving this objective,” she said.