Blue squad takes it slow on plastic ban in Mumbai

Following implementation of plastic ban on June 23 across the state, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) started a drive to enforce the ban by penalising violators of the ban. However, the momentum has slowed down after a successful show last year.

Visits by the BMC team and action taken by it has gone down last month. While the officers used to visit 6100 to 6500 shops per day, the current number has come down to 5100 to 5400.

The team from the market department has neither seized plastic nor collected fine in last week. Between March 5 and March 8, the team visited 6,382 shops across the city and could not spot any defaulter. However, teams from shops and establishment department and license department fined as well as seized banned plastics during the same period. The shops and establishment department visited 3051 shops and fined 41 shops for possessing banned plastic. It has also seized over 400 kg plastic. The license department fined 75 shops for possessing banned plastic.

According to a BMC official, most of the shops have stopped using plastic bag. "Hawkers are frequent violators of the ban and we will take action against them soon," he added.

As per a notification from the state government, the licence of shops and hawking stalls can be revoked for violating the law. At present, the BMC is collecting Rs 5000 fine from violators. Also, a circular allows cancelling the license of shops and hawkers in case of violation.

"Officials who are carrying out an inspection of plastic ban, have been directed to cancel hawkers' license immediately if found possessing banned plastic," said an official from license department.