Plastic ban: Inspectors collect ₹2.95 lakh in fines from 59 Mumbai shops
On the third day of the plastic ban in the city, 250 inspectors (divided into 24 teams) of the plastic-ban squad, collected fines amounting to ₹2.95 lakh after visiting 8,061 shops across the city. Fifty-nine shops were found with banned items and nine offenders who refused to pay fine were issued challans.
In the face of the criticism and following incessant rains in the city, officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said individuals will be not be targeted initially and will be warned against the use of plastic.
Sangeeta Hasnale, in charge of implementing the ban, said, “On Monday, inspectors were directed to focus on malls and shopkeepers because they use plastic in bulk and have had enough time to prepare for the ban. If citizens were found with the banned items, inspectors were required to ask for an explanation and take away the plastic item, but not fine them.”
“Ninety per cent of citizens are in support of the ban,” said Hasnale.
BMC has asked inspectors to not insist or put pressure on citizens but shopkeepers are required to pay fines and spread awareness of the ill effects of plastics.
Monday’s inspection drive ended at around 5.30pm. Even on the third day of the ban, citizens and retailers were still looking for alternatives.
“The civic body’s exhibition was informative but the biodegradable cutleries are very expensive as the manufactures still don’t have a steady demand,” said Vipul Paniyal, a retailer from Ghatkopar.
The BMC on Monday published the list of certified manufacturers of compostable carry bags.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Panipat man kills three within 8 hours; arrested
The accused, Ashu, a resident of Panipat’s Nara village, killed the victims, reportedly his friends, between 8pm and 4am and travelled around 60km from the first crime scene in Matlauda of Panipat to Titawi in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli. The victims are Sonu, 26, who was working with a private contractor in a cement factory, and his two friends -- Monu, 25, of Nara village and Rakesh, 27, of Bhalsi village.
-
Delhi: Tools to help schools assess mindset curriculum impact
The Delhi government introduced the Happiness curriculum in 2018, Entrepreneurship mindset curriculum in 2019 and the Deshbhakti curriculum last year with the aim of inculcating problem-solving approaches among students and making them more self-aware, self-confident and socially responsible.
-
Delhi LG inspects drainage at flooding hot spots
While the LG appreciated the work done at Indraprastha and Pul Prahladpur, he was displeased at the drainage system at Minto Bridge, flagging “technical flaws” in the drainage system and warned that engineers concerned “will be held responsible and strict action will be taken in the event of waterlogging at the site.”
-
Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs return to Mumbai after 11 days, show of strength with BJP
BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said the MLAs were informed about the election process for upcoming election for Speaker’s post. “They were told that the election will be held through a voice vote or they may have to stand up to vote for their candidate if asked,” said Mungantiwar.
-
Dry day pushes Delhi’s temperature up; IMD forecasts light rain for today
The weather department classifies rainfall between ‘trace’ and 2.4 mm as ‘very light rainfall’, as ‘light rainfall’ when it is between 2.5 mm and 15.5 mm, as ‘moderate’ rainfall when it is between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm and as ‘heavy’ when it is over 64.5 mm in a single day.
