Plastics: Notice to Corporation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The State Human Rights Commission on Thursday sent notice to the Corporation Secretary in response to a petition against Corporation workers burning plastics in the city. The Human Rights Commission has asked the Corporation Secretary to file a report before March 30.As the waste disposal issue in the city became grave following the closure of the Vilappilsala garbage plant, there is rampant dumping of plastic in public places. The Mayor had ordered to dump plastics in pits on government-owned land. However, most of the plastics are being burned by the Corporation workers and the public. This is raising questions about serious health hazards.According to the petitioner advocate S J Jayaram, burning of plastic causes health issues. “Plastic, when burned, will release dioxin, which is carcinogenic. The Corporation is highly irresponsible in dealing with it,” said Jayaram. He filed some photographic evidences along with the petition.“Accepting the petition in file, Human Rights Commission chairperson justice J B Koshy has asked why the Corporation is not using the plastic recycling unit at Pappanamcode,” Jayaram said.“I see this as a human rights violation since it is harmful to the health of the people. The Corporation officials will be summoned before the end of this month. Hopefully, there will be some action against this,” Jayaram said.Jayaram had filed a petition before the High Court on the issue. However, the Court asked him to wait till a consensus is formed on the Vilappilsala garbage plant issue.