Hyderabad : The use of plastics in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara in Andhra Pradesh, will be totally banned within a month.

Even the 'laddu prasadams', now being supplied in plastic bags, will be distributed wrapped in bags made of cloth, paper or jute, a release from the Chief Minister's office said here. Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Aug 11 directed the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the popular shrine, to strictly adhere to these norms.

He reviewed the activities of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) with Minister for Forest and Environment P Ramachandra Reddy and top officials at a meeting in Secretariat, the release said. The officials told the CM that all TTD canteens have stopped usage of plastic tea cups and water glasses.

It was also decided to ban plastics below 40 micron thickness all over the state within a month to prevent pollution. At present, plastics of more than 20 microns thickness are being used in Andhra Pradesh, the release said. Rosaiah was informed that the World Bank has approved a project for industrial pollution management in the state, the release said.