Mumbai: Within days of the plastic ban implementation, several city-based traders have accused the BMC officials of extortion while levying fine for banned plastic. They have alleged that even the permitted items are being fined by the civic officials.
In a letter to civic chief Ajoy Mehta, Akhil Ghatkopar Yyapari Mandal (AGYM), one of the prominent traders association in the city, said, “During the action, the BMC team of inspectors were threatening the shopkeepers and treating them as criminals. One of the vendors was fined for using the bag, which is usable under the ban. A small-time tailor was fined for Rs 5000 even when his daily earnings are not that much.”
“The BMC should take action against these officials for not misusing their authority and threatening the officials,” said Deepak Chheda, general secretary, AGYM.
However, BMC officials have refuted the allegations. Sangeeta Hasnale, assistant municipal commissioner, said, “This is not correct. In fact, we had requested the traders to deposit their stock of banned plastic to us. We even told them that we would not fine them. Despite this, they refused to co-operate with us. Hence we had to take action against them.”
Meanwhile, on the fourth day of plastic ban implementation, the BMC seized 972 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of 10.50 lakh from offenders. Notices have been issued to 26 people for not paying the fine. The plastic ban squad visited 13,501 shops on Tuesday.
