Twitter
Advertisement

We conduct raids regularly

The BMC says that they regularly conduct raids to catch vendors using banned plastic bags but the citizens should co-operate and boycott thin plastic bags.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

We conduct raids regularly

BMC says:

We regularly conduct raids to catch vendors using banned plastic bags. In the last year and a half, around 50,000 cases have been lodged, more than 46 tonnes of plastic bags have been seized and  we have recovered a fine of Rs1,11,00,000.

Citizens should co-operate and boycott thin plastic bags. They should refuse bags which are below 50 microns. If they spot vendors using such bags, they should inform the BMC control room.

We do not have powers to raid the manufacturing unit.

We religiously inform the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) whenever we come to know of an illegal manufacturing unit. They are supposed to take action against such units. There are thousands of illegal manufacturing units in the city, making it very difficult to implement the ban.
RA Rajeev. Additional Municipal Commissioner

Civic body, citizens must help

MPCB says:

Plastic bags with a thickness less than 50 microns are very cheap, fragile and can break easily. Hence, when we carry fruits or vegetables in these, they are more prone to rupture. These ruptured bags then end up on the streets. Rag pickers are not interested in picking these, as they are not worth much. They lie on the streets, clog drainage pipes or end up in the intestines of cattle, effectively becoming an environmental hazard.

As against this, thicker bags are usually brought back home and reused. They are less likely to be discarded on the streets. However, even if they do, rag pickers pick them as they can be easily recycled.

If you find a vendor using the thinner bags, notify the civic body, which is responsible for taking action. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board is not expected to keep a vigil on the streets. We keep a watch on manufacturers of these illegal bags and conduct routine inspections of such units. Normally, every industrial unit is checked once every month.

If we find that a certain unit is producing these bags, we seal the property, impound the licence, cut power supply and issue a show-cause notice. Between April '06 to March '07, 76 units have been issued show-cause notices. Two hundred and seven units were issued closure notices out of which 53 notices have been withdrawn due to various reasons.

Civic bodies like the BMC need to conduct regular checks on the streets to discourage vendors from using the cheaper, thinner bags. BMC conducts a drive once in a while and forgets about the issue for months. Civic bodies and the MPCB have to work together to eradicate the nuisance of plastic bags. Putting the blame on each other will not help. We are willing to do everything within our power to keep a watch on the plastic industry in Maharashtra.

However, if the illegal bags are circulating on the streets, they could possibly be coming from outside Maharashtra. Officials at octroi posts must be more vigilant to prevent the bags from being smuggled in.

Authorities can only curb the use of plastic bags to a certain extent. Citizens must do their share of work. Report vendors who use the banned plastic bags. Better still, if you can dig up the name and address of the manufacturers, call me at 24010437 or email nimbarte@yahoo.com. If we pool our efforts, we can rid ourselves of the nuisance.
BB Nimbarte. Regional Officer, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board

Thinner bags are far cheaper

Supplier says:

We sell bags by weight. So, if the bag measures lesser than 50 microns, the vendor gets more bags in one kilogramme. The current market rate for selling bags is Rs100 for 2.5kg, which changes as per polymer price. Hence, a vendor benefits when he buys the thinner bags. That's the reason these bags still circulate in the market. Legal manufacturing units also run into losses due to this.

We spread awareness among our members about the environmental hazards of bags below 50 microns. It’s the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s job to take action against units producing banned bags. We are not aware of any judicial power given to us to take action against units manufacturing the thinner variety of bags.
Harish Dharamsi. President, All India Plastics Manufacturers Assn

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
    Advertisement

    Live tv

    Advertisement
    Advertisement