Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The municipal corporation’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) section has, over the past week, begun conducting raids on warehouses of sellers dealing in plastic carry bags thinner than 50 microns and single-use plastic. On Tuesday once again, around 6,450 kg (nearly 6.5 tonnes) of plastic stock was seized. A fine of Rs 65,000 was also recovered from the concerned traders. The action was carried out in the areas of Old Mondha and Anguri Baugh.
The municipal corporation has been taking daily action against banned carry bags and single-use plastic. However, surprise has been expressed that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has not yet participated in this drive. As per government directives, the responsibility of stopping the sale and use of banned carry bags lies not only with the municipal corporation but equally with the MPCB.
Under the guidance of municipal commissioner Amol Yedge and deputy commissioner Nandkishor Bhombe, a team led by sanitary inspector Anil Jadhav inspected two major warehouses—Jeevan Plastic in Old Mondha and Ekdant Traders Plastic in Anguri Baugh. A large stock of banned carry bags was found, and a fine of Rs 50,000 (Rs 25,000 each) was imposed and recovered from the two traders. The Nagrik Mitra Pathak also collected a fine of Rs 10,000 in their action against violators using banned plastics.
In another incident, it was revealed that a contractor supplying food for a municipal corporation programme had used banned disposable plastic plates. The SWM section took serious note of this and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the contractor. A letter has also been issued to the stores section to ensure that no violation of the plastic ban occurs in future municipal programmes.
Monitoring of vegetable markets and citizens
Teams have been deployed in various vegetable markets across the city to check whether vendors are using carry bags. The municipal corporation is also keeping a close watch on citizens. Strict measures are being implemented to encourage the use of cloth bags and eliminate plastic usage.