The association of retailers in Mumbai on Monday threatened to go on a strike to protest against the plastic ban in the state if their demands are not met by Tuesday, the Hindustan Times reported. The traders want the government to postpone the ban till the end of the monsoon and allow grocery stores to buy back plastic from consumers.
“We have got news of huge loses to retailers, especially grocery stores and sweet shops, which need plastic to not just sell but also store products,” said Viren Shah, the president of the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association. “They need these especially during monsoon to stop products like farsan and sweets from becoming moist. Most shops were shut due to the fear of inspector raj and penalties.”
On Sunday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation inspected 867 establishments and penalised 72 of them, Mid-Day reported. Most of the inspections were conducted in Chembur and surrounding areas. The civic body said it had collected more than Rs 3.5 lakh in fines till Sunday.
Medical colleges and hospitals in the city are also complying with the civic body’s directive and informing patients and their relatives about the ban, the Hindustan Times reported. The civic body has said it will start penalising individual violators from Monday. First-time offenders will be fined Rs 5,000, while those found violating the law for the second time would have to pay Rs 10,000. A third offence will attract a fine of Rs 25,000 or a three-month prison term, or both.
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