Ranchi Municipal Corporation’s (RMC) effort to enforce total ban on polythene has made a slow but definite start however “Safai Mitra”, volunteers hired for job, is yet to make their presence felt in municipal wards except ward-40.
As many as four safai mitra were deputed in ward-40 last month however the men donning uniform given by RMC have not been provided with any material by the municipal body to impose penalty for using polythene of banned specification. “We will receive all necessary materials needed to equip a safai mitra by Monday,” said Suman Devi councillor of ward-40.
Interestingly, a safai mitra has been bestowed with the power of raiding anybody’s premises in cases of confirmed violation of norms on polythene use but only on producing a valid proof. “If they are sure that a household is using polythene they can visit the premises and impose fine,” added Devi. While drive against polythene has intensified a bit in ward-40 other municipal wards have are yet to get volunteers to enforce ban on use of polythene of less than 40 micron in thickness.
“I have absolutely no clue on what the RMC is doing on safai mitra and as far as my knowledge goes not many municipal wards can claim to have hired safai mitra,” said Ashok Baraik, councillor of ward-28. Incidentally, while 75 per cent of the fine recovered for violating norms would go to a safai mitra, 25 per cent of the amount will go the municipal body.