The Brihanmumbai Mumbai Corporation is planning to take a tough stance not only on manufacturers but even customers, caught using plastic bags in the metropolis.
The local civic body proposes for a new set of restrictions on ban of plastic bags in the city to the state government.
"We have formulated few recommendations for revision in the existing ban of plastic bags in the city. The matter will first come up for hearing in the general body meeting next week and once it is approved we will ask the state to make necessary changes to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006," a civic official said.
Currently, under the rules, plastic carry bags must be 50 micron. Penalties is also been imposed. For second time, the offenders are asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 and if repeated, they would fce an imprisonment of three months and Rs 25,000 fine would be imposed.
"The suggestions include ban on polythene bags to be extended from 50 to 70 microns, customers found carrying plastic bags of a thickness less than 50 microns to be charged Rs 100, to cancel license of commercial establishments found selling plastic carry bags below 50 microns among others," the official said.
Clogging of drains had led to massive flooding on July 26, 2005 in Mumbai, leading the government to contemplate banning polythene bags.
"The idea is to make the existing rules more stringent to discourage manufacturing, use and circulation of banned plastic, since it is difficult to take action against manufacturing units," the official said.
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