PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji in a meeting on Tuesday resolved to ban use of plastic bags in Panaji from October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) onwards. Corporator Rupesh Halarnkar proposed the move.
Commissioner Ajit Roy informed that the CCP has already banned plastic bags less than 15 microns and CCP inspectors have fined around 30 people recently.
He said plastic bags were still being used despite a ban on plastic bags lesser than 50 microns, therefore, it was proposed to go for a complete ban.
Corporator Soayra Makhija-Pinto was of the view that people should be provided an alternative for plastic bags before the ban is imposed.
Commissioner Roy, however, said the commercial system have alternative ways and that it was not the duty of the CCP to provide alternate bags.
Mayor Vitthal Chopdekar said that a one-month time would be given to the vendors before the imposition of the ban. “Chocking of the drains during monsoon is a major problem which results from plastic bags”, he said.A female corporator also informed that the non-plastic bags were available with the Bal Bhavan which the people can use.
Commisioner Roy stressed the need for banning of all types of plastic bags in the capital city. “In a coastal city 75 percent of plastic goes into the sea,” he said.
Although the CCP has decided to ban sale of thermocoal for decoration of Ganesh idols, the Mayor said that the ban would be strictly implemented from next year, as the material of this type has already in the market. “This year only notices will be issued to the concerned persons”, he added.
