The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will charge penalty from retailers and wholesalers found to be flouting rules of using and selling ploy-bags. The ccorporation has deployed three enforcement teams to penalise the violators.
Municipal Commissioner, Manoj Kumar said, “The enforcement teams conducted raids at Kanke and Morhabadi on June 26 and also issued challans to 10 violators by penalising them with Rs 500 each. Till now our teams have conducted numerous operations and collected fine of over Rs. 12 Lakh. There are no registered plastic manufacturers in the city but still the wholesalers are secretly dealing with it.”
Kumar further added that RMC is conducting raids every so often to punish the lawbreaker because, even after a complete ban on use of plastic, people continue to use it. City residents must take part to keep their city clean and stop littering. It is not entirely the fault of the administration, the people are also supposed to use other alternatives rather than opting to use plastic. He further remarked, that the drive will continue in the coming days.
Heaps of used carry bags at garbage dumps across the city are a common sight. Sakshi Namdev, a student said that plastics remains in the environment and have adverse affect. “Plastic plates, bags, spoons, glasses and other materials are readily available in the market. They are economical and easy to use. People prefer using these use-and-throw materials during gatherings and parties as it shuns the hassle of clearing and cleaning it later. All they need to do is to gather these and throw them away. However, they do not realize that this waste is not disposed off and continues to remain in the environment having adverse effects,” he said.
“Plastic is cheap and readily available and that is what makes it a danger. The alternatives to plastic, such as jute and cotton bags, are often expensive and not everybody can afford it.” said Ravi Das, a shopkeeper.