Plastic Ban: From Monday, Squad To Carry Out Checks At Shops

From Monday, 25th June 2018, 250 inspectors have been appointed by the BMC to implement the plastic ban will be carried out across the city to visit shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments and penance those found in hold of banned items.

On Thursday, 21st June 2018, the BMC chief held a meeting with senior civic officials to discuss the slog-toil of the ban and instructed them to focus on shopkeepers, malls and commercial establishments in high footfall areas during the initial days. The BMC has supplied a list of places these inspectors can visit to penance offenders.

From Friday that is today, 22nd June 2018, the civic body is expected to be ready for the ban with a three-day exhibition.

A total of 61 companies and 50 women’s self-help groups will display alternatives to plastic products. All 250 inspectors will participate in this exhibition.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in presence of his wife Amruta Fadnavis, actors Ajay Devgan and Kajol in Worli. Also, Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, environment minister Ramdas Kadam and other leaders and civic officials expected at venue.

The BMC plans to arrange a panel discussion at the exhibition to indicate senior politicians’ opinion on certain types of plastics for which alternatives are not available. Along with garbage bin liners, a few items may be excluded from the ban types of plastics for which alternatives are not available.

The BMC has conducted a workshop for its 250 inspectors. They will be provided with uniforms and each will be assigned specific areas and won’t be allowed to visit others’. They must show their identity cards to those they propose to penance. The BMC has put up list of the inspectors on its website along with the areas allotted to them.

Kiran Dighavkar, assistant civic commissioner, said, “Our intention is to educate people by penalizing them for violating the law, not terrorize them.”

Also read: Mumbai: BMC refuses to reduce fine for plastic usage defaulters