The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a step ahead in the strict implementation of the plastic ban in the city. They have decided to deploy 200 inspectors to catch hold of defaulters and fine them for using plastic. "The officers will take action against anyone found using plastic in markets, standalone shops. The 200 officials will be given an authorisation letter from the heads of their department and their names will be published on BMC website on Wednesday," said Nidhi Chaudhary, Deputy Municipal Commissioner.
The officials will wear jackets in navy blue with the MCGM logo on it while on duty. The staff will be from BMC's shop and establishment, license and market departments. The officials, as per their departments, will be in charge of taking action, levying a fine to individual shops, hawkers, and markets — both municipal and private. The team will be pressed to action from June 23, which is the deadline given to BMC by Bombay High Court to implement the plastic ban.
The usage of plastic was banned on March 23, but the court granted time till June 23, to implement it. Accordingly, the BMC took steps at first to collect plastic stored in households, offices and other places. So far, 356 metric tonnes of plastic has been collected from the city. A total of 137 tonnes of plastic was deposited in the BMC collection bins, the rest was collected by private organisations through rag pickers.
"The officials will carry the authorisation letter with them and when they fine the defaulters. In case people want to cross-check their identity, they can visit the MCGM website," Chaudhary said.
FOR A GREENER CITY
- The usage of plastic was banned on March 23, but the court granted time till June 23, to implement it.
- So far, 356 metric tonnes of plastic has been collected from the city. A total of 137 tonnes of plastic was deposited in the BMC collection bins, the rest was collected by private organisations through rag pickers.
- From June 23, 200 inspectors will be on the prowl in markets, other public places, to catch hold of defaulters and fine them for using plastic.
