MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) will begin implementation of the much-hyped, but delayed, plastic ban in the municipal areas from April 1 onwards.
MMC Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar said plastic carry bags of less than 40 microns will not be allowed in Mapusa market.
“We will strictly implement ban on plastic carry bags from April 1. No one will be allowed to sell plastic carry bags in the city,” Kavlekar said.
He further said plastic bags of over 40 microns thickness and an acceptable brand
will be allowed in the municipal area.
The chairperson said that the civic body has carried out enough awareness campaign against use of plastics in the market.
“Most of the retailers and even shoppers have been sensitized against the use of plastic bags. We hope to get cooperation from the shop owners and the public alike,” he said.
The chairperson informed that the civic body had actually planned to implement the ban on plastic carry bags from January 26 this year.
“But since we did not have enough municipal inspectors to oversee the ban, we had to delay the implementation of the plan,” he said.
With the recent promotion of two staff to the rank of inspectors, the Mapusa civic body now has four municipal inspectors.
There is already a ban on use of plastic bags below 40 microns under the Goa Biodegradable Garbage (Controlled) Act 1996.
But the local self-governing bodies failed to implement the ban.
