MPCB urges BMC to enforce stricter penalties for plastic ban violations as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate single-use plastic in Mumbai | Representational Image
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed the BMC to take stricter action in enforcing the ban on single-use plastic in Mumbai. This includes penalising citizens who continue to use plastic carry bags, despite the ongoing ban.
To ensure greater compliance, the civic authorities plan to revise its current fine structure. However, before the revised fine policy is implemented, it will need approval from both the BMC administrator and the state government.
The production, use, sale, transportation, handling, and storage of plastic products have been banned in the state under a notification issued by the Government of Maharashtra on March 23, 2018. Despite this ban, the use of plastic products in the city remains rampant.
Siddesh Kadam, the Chairman of the MPCB, acknowledged the ongoing challenge, noting that while plastic production is prohibited in Maharashtra, plastic products continue to flood the market. This is primarily due to the import of plastic goods from neighbouring states where such restrictions are not enforced.
“During joint enforcement operations by MPCB and BMC, it was observed that plastic products are being brought into Maharashtra from states that do not have similar plastic bans. In these instances, the authorities in those states are notified to take appropriate action,” explained Kadam. He also emphasised that according to the policy, citizens who use banned plastic should be penalised as well.
However, the senior civic official said, “Although the policy calls for action against citizens using banned plastic, no enforcement has occurred yet. We will first prepare a fine structure for violations by citizens. A formal proposal will be drafted and submitted to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani for approval. It will also require permission from the state government before it can be implemented.”
As per civic policy in case of violations producers, stockists, suppliers, and sellers, must pay Rs 5,000 for first offence Rs 10,000 for the second and a fine of up to Rs 25,000 and/ or imprisonment for 3 months for an offence after that. The civic body is taking steps to revive its plastic ban enforcement, which had slowed down after an initial push in July 2022.
In an effort to strengthen the drive, the focus will now be on making civic-run markets plastic-free. The ward-wise teams of markets, shops, and licensed departments will begin inspecting these markets.
Mumbai has a total of 91 civic-run markets, and the drive aims to seize banned plastic items in these areas, reinforcing the city’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastic.
The BMC have inspected 44,448 shops and establishments and seized 3,148 kg of banned plastic across the city. The civic body has also collected a fine of Rs 41.70 lakh from January 1, to December 17, 2024.
