2 days to go for Maha plastic ban, confusion prevails

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, June 21

With just two days to go before a comprehensive ban on use, sale and storage of single-use plastic items comes into effect, citizens and owners of small businesses are confused about the items that are prohibited and those that are not.

As per information available from the Maharashtra Government, single-use cutlery like plastic spoons, plates, water bottles etc are banned. Also on the hit-list are decorative items made of plastic and thermocol and flex banners. However, woven polypropylene bags have not been banned. Even high-quality food-grade plastic bottles are allowed.

Following pressure from organised retailers, the state government has allowed the use of compostible plastic bags. What has riled the common man is the proposal to levy fine on anyone possessing plastic bags. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that its anti-plastic squad would hit the streets from Saturday, when the ban comes into force.

Anyone found with banned plastic items would be fined Rs 5,000 the first time. Subsequent offences would result in fines of Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000. Members of these squads have been asked to note down the Aadhaar numbers of violators.

The railways have also got into the act with the Central Railway announcing that it would fine any commuter found with the banned plastic items from Saturday.

Panic-stricken citizens are now calling up ward officers of the BMC for clarifications on what is banned and what is not. “People are asking us whether it is alright to use plastic as water-proofing material during the monsoons. Even we are confused about what is allowed and what is not,” says an official of the BMC.

“We will move the Bombay High Court on Friday to exempt select items from the ban,” said Viren Shah, president, Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association.