the goan I network
MAPUSA
In spite of all the tough talk, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has managed to only issue notices to vendors and shopkeepers on the plastic ban in the last two days, even as plastic carry bags were easily available in Mapusa market.
Since Monday, civic officials managed to issue notices to over 100 vendors/shopkeepers in the municipal market against use of plastic bags of less than 50 microns in thickness.
MMC Chief Officer Clen Madeira was not available for comment, but Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) appeared to go slow on the ban.
Sources in the council informed that despite issuing public notices twice, no person has come forward to register with the municipality.
“We have now begun issuing individual notices to all vendors, shopkeepers, stall owners, etc in the market. Over 500 such notices have been signed and will be issued to owners during this week,” an official in the know said.
He said only after serving the notices will the council take the next step of enforcing the ban.
However, MMC Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar said the council would act tough against all those who violate the plastic ban. “We will not lower our guard. The council will take action against all those who violate the ban. We are very firm on the ban,” Kavlekar said.
He said the council had taken a soft view on the first two days of the ban by not issuing fines against the violators, but all the banned plastic material have been confiscated.
“We want to pass on the message that the council means business. I hope the traders and vendors take note and stop using plastic of less than 50 microns,” he said.
It may be recalled The Goan had recently reported that MMC’s awareness campaign had not made any impact on the minds of the vendors and shopkeepers.
Most vendors and shopkeepers were skeptical of the idea of banning plastic bags with some even questioning the MMC’s will to implement the ban.
