Kolkata: BMC to fine shopkeepers with Rs 500 if found using banned plastic bags from July 1

Kolkata: The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will begin fining shops that sell goods in prohibited plastic bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns with a fine of Rs 500. If caught, customers who accept such bags would also be charged Rs 50. From July 1, the local government will begin levying fines.

Despite running awareness advertising in markets for the past two months, BMC did not achieve the expected results. “Both shopkeepers and buyers are using the banned plastic bags. We have been continuously urging them to stop using the bags. From next month, we will start imposing fines,” said a BMC official.

Residents and environmentalists believe that the municipality must act more firmly to successfully enforce the prohibition. “Barely requesting shopkeepers and people to not use banned plastic bags will not help. Habitual offenders need to be penalised,” said Bidhannagar welfare association secretary Sarat Mullick.

“At the GD Block market in Salt Lake, most of the shopkeepers have started selling their products in thicker plastic bags above 75 microns, "said Tamal Pal, a resident of Salt Lake’s HB Block. “Councilors have started taking up the drive in their wards. "We are distributing jute bags and urging people to use them while shopping,” Rahima Bibi Mondal, BMC MMiC (environment), stated. On Saturday, the BMC organised a rally in ward No. 2 region.

“Manufacturing of such plastic has to be stopped at its source along with preventing its storage, transportation, and usage. Also, there is a need to come up with cost-effective alternatives to replace such plastic bags. Without these, only banning the use of plastic will be a futile exercise,” said green activist Subhas Dutta according to TOI.