Mangaluru : Expressing concern over the lackadaisical approach of panchayat personnel in preventing use of plastic carry bags and stopping water pollution by shops and hotels operating around Durgaparameshwari Temple in Kateel, Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary on Friday directed officials to use their power to suspend licences of such establishments.

During the meeting to review the works of the temple, which comes under the Muzrai department, Harinarayana Asran, the hereditary trustee of the temple, said several shops operating near the temple are giving articles in plastic carry bags. Pilgrims were throwing these bags and empty water bottles in the river flowing near the temple. “We [temple authorities] are finding it difficult to prevent the use of plastic carry bags,” he said. Mr. Asran also pointed to two hotels near the temple that are discharging their waste into the river.

Expressing displeasure over inaction of panchayat personnel, Mr. Poojary said the panchayat issues trade licence with a condition that the establishments should not pollute the area. “If the establishments are not adhering to this condition, their trade licence should be placed under suspension. Unfortunately, I am not seeing such action,” he said.

Zilla panchayat CEO R. Selvamani said panchayat development officers in the district have been imposing fines on shops and business establishments that are using plastic carry bags and other single-use plastic products. “We will do it in Kateel too,” he said. Trade licences of establishments booked for the third time for use of plastic carry bags will be suspended, he said.

Mr. Selvamani said trade licences of hotels that do not have solid waste treatment plant will also be suspended.

On the issue of clearing encroachments on the road leading to the temple, Assistant Commissioner Ravichandra Nayak said the matter is pending because of a stay granted by a local court till October 9 on the petition by 15 shop owners.

Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, asked officials to take up at the earliest work on widening four important roads leading to the temple. This is necessary as the temple will have Brahmakalashotsava early next year, he said.