MBMC raids shop, finds thin polybags with approved stamps

Polythene carry-bags with fake ‘approved’ stamps are increasingly being found in the markets of the twin-city, exposing the desperate attempts of manufacturers and traders to dodge the stringent rules that are meant to combat the decadesold problem of plastic pollution by outlawing bags thinner than 50 microns.

This was revealed after a special squad from the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) swooped down on a godown located in the Jai Ambe Industrial area in Bhayandar (east) and seized 700 kilograms of banned packaging material, worth more than Rs 4 lakh on Monday evening.

The civic authorities also came across bags with stamps mentioning the thickness to be more than 50 microns, but measurements showed them to be much thinner. The owner of the establishment identified as Amit Patel was slapped with a fine amounting Rs 10,000.

After the ban was enforced in March-2018, the MBMC had formed 13 special squads each comprising five personnel led by the respective zonal sanitary inspectors who have been empowered to swoop down on erring establishment, seize the banned material and impose fines on the violators. However, it has been alleged that under the garb of vigilance, a section of ward level sanitary inspector are adopting a pickand-choose policy by pocketing a smaller amount for themselves instead of issuing official receipts towards penal recoveries.