BMC prosecutes 288 for refusing to pay up fine

Mumbai: In the first four months of plastic ban, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prosecuted 288 people, who have refused to pay fine for using banned plastic. During this period, the civic body has seized more than 30,000 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of Rs 1.37 crore from the offenders.

According to civic data, ever since the ban came into force from June 23, BMC officials have visited 3,02,332 establishments up to September 20 and seized 30,023.28 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of Rs 1,37,30,000.

As 288 people refused to pay the fine, the BMC issued notices to them and initiated legal action against them. The BMC has formed a team of over 310 inspectors from three departments – market, license and shops and establishments – to take action against banned plastic in the city. These officials have been given jackets stating specifically that they belong to the plastic ban squad and also authorisation letters from the BMC. These teams have been visiting shops, malls and markets to crack their whip on banned plastic.

“Prosecution has been initiated against offenders, who refused to pay the fine. They will be tried in the Metropolitan Magistrate’s court for violating the plastic ban,” said a senior official from shops and establishments department.

The state government has declared a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for first and second time offence. A third-time offender will be fined Rs 25,000 and three months imprisonment.

However, civic activists feel the BMC is losing focus after the initial burst in implementing the ban. Godfrey Pimenta from the Watchdog Foundation said, “the plastic ban is dying a slow death. Banned plastic bags are now available everywhere defeating the purpose of the ban.”