The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to intensify action against the sale, storage and use of plastic bags less than 50 microns thick, which are banned in the city.
The civic body will conduct a special drive against hawkers, shopkeepers, traders and large warehouse owners found dealing in prohibited plastic bags. The Shops and Establishments Department has been directed to take action, following instructions from Law Committee chairperson Diksha Karkar.
Despite the plastic ban in mumbai, the use of prohibited plastic bags continues to be reported. The problem becomes more noticeable during the festive season, when the use of plastic bags increases. Civic officials have also raised concerns that discarded plastic can clog drainage systems and worsen waterlogging during the monsoon.
However, a shortage of staff remains a major challenge for the civic department responsible for enforcing the ban. The department has 127 sanctioned posts, including 33 senior inspector posts and 94 inspector posts. At present, only 20 senior inspectors and 33 inspectors are working.
As many as 72 posts are vacant, including 61 inspector positions. Due to the shortage of manpower, the department has been relying on staff from other civic departments to conduct enforcement drives across Mumbai’s 26 administrative wards.
Anaji Mane, a senior official from the Shops and Establishments Department, said that action against banned plastic is already being carried out at the ward level with assistance from other departments.
A wider enforcement campaign will soon be launched under the directions of Law Committee chairperson Diksha Karkar and the guidance of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special) Vinayak Vispute.
Under civic rules, those found using, storing or distributing banned plastic can be fined Rs 5,000 for the first offence, Rs 10,000 for the second offence and Rs 25,000 for the third offence. The rules also provide for imprisonment of up to three months.
Despite these penalties, civic authorities have observed that the use of banned plastic has not declined significantly.
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