BMC to get cracking on plastic use in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start cancelling licenses of shops and hawking stalls if they are found using or selling banned plastic. The step is taken after it has been observed that hawkers across the city are selling their products in banned plastic carry bag.

According to a civic official, there is a notification from the state government that has the provision of revoking the licence of licenses of shops and hawking stalls. At present, the BMC is collecting Rs 5,000 fine from violators. However, it is believed that this will attract opposition from the shops and hawkers.

A senior civic official while requested anonymity, said, "There is a circulation received in December that allowed to take coercive action. The same has already forwarded to the concerned department of all ward offices. The department has been asked to take further action on offenders of the plastic ban as given in the notification."

According to BMC's data, since the ban came into effect, the BMC visited around 4.48 lakh establishments and seized 47, 163 kg of plastic. It also collected Rs 1.99 crores as fine. To implement the ban, the BMC formed a special squad consisting of 300 officials from Market, License and Shop and Establishments. The squad was christened blue squad who visited malls, shops and establishments, well-known eateries and searched for plastic.