The plan of the civic body for slapping fines on city traders who are selling polythene or using poly bags of below 40 microns seems to be only on papers and has no relevance in practicality.
Today was the first day of conducting surprise raids in city’s various localities, surprisingly; the raids were not carried out as the committees for raiding the premises of offenders could not be formed. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has entrusted ward councilors to ensure that polythene is not used in their respective wards.
As a result, the city witnessed rampant use of polythene despite blanket ban clamped on sale and production of poly bags below 40 micron. When RMC Deputy Mayor Sanjeev VijayVargiya was enquired the reason behind non formation of the committees he was found giving excuses on the matter, he said, “Sudden replacement of CEO has shuffled the work of RMC as a result of which the committee was not formed on the stipulated time.” However, he said that RMC is serious for his plan and will implement it soon in near future.
On the other hand, RMC Deputy CEO Shailendra lal has assured that in the upcoming Board meeting which is scheduled on December 23, a committee of four members in each ward will be formed and will instruct the Ward Counselors to look after the committee function. “The plan to make city free from polythene is listed on the top of our priority list and we will leave no stone unturned in making it successful,” added lal.
Meanwhile, fear of law in the eyes of state capital residents was found missing. People are found using the poly bags rampantly. A fruit seller at Nagababa Khatal who was selling his fruits in polythene said, “laws are meant to be broken from past few months we are hearing that this from past few months but till date no concrete action has been taken in this direction.”
Another vendor said, “If the administration provide us an alternative and implement the law effectively then we also not curb the use of polythene.” Besides the local residents feel that in Jharkhand it is not possible to curb the use of poly bags. A local Resident Raveena Devi said, “Use of polythene is like an addiction for Ranchities and it is easy to leave a habit but not addiction.”