Now, download this app for any queries on plastic ban

FROM TODAY, BMC TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES FOR 3 DAYS

Citizens are already having to grapple with numerous mobile application and are also coming to terms with the plastic ban. Well, there is now one more application that they have to deal with. With an aim to answering queries related to the plastic ban, Maharashtra pollution Control Board (MPCB) has now launched an app ‘Plastic Bandi’. This app is available in Android and will be launched on iOS.

Speaking to Free Press Journal, MPCB Member Secretary, P Anbalagan said, "We launched this app recently. This will allow the citizens to share their suggestions with us."

This interactive app is aimed to provided awareness about plastic ban, alternate modes of plastic, punishment, citizen contribution etc, said Anbalagan at the recently held 'V CAN' workshop.

MPCB is planning to upgrade their website so that the citizens can interact with the government officials directly. Anbalagan stated that the ban is happening from June 23, there is no doubt about it but now the challenge is to deal with all the queries. "We are trying be ready for it."

After the plastic ban, the body is looking at other initiatives to help the environment. MUMBAI: With the countdown to ban on single-use plastic imposed by the BMC just a day away, the civic body is set to organise an exhibition from

June 22 – 24 at National Sports

Club of India (NSCI) in Worli to help citizens with the alternatives to plastic and its recycling options. “There will be 60 stalls of vendors promoting bio-degradable products and 50 stalls from the women self-help groups in the exhibition,” informed Kiran

Dighavkar, Additional Municipal Commissioner, A-ward.

The three-day exhibition will educate the public on the plastic alternatives for daily use. Also, how the consumers will be helped with their queries on the ban.

The government notification on March 23 announced a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution, and storage of all plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, and also thermocol items. A grace period of three months has been given to the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to dispose of the existing stock of the banned items. The BMC has been appealing to the citizens to dispose of all the single-use plastic items before June 23. Thereon, the civic body would impose a heavy fine if anyone is seen carrying or using any of the banned items. It has also assigned 200 officials to take action against offenders.