VMC imposes fine of Rs 6.78 lakh on prohibited plastic sale and usage

VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has pledged to decrease the source of canal pollution by banning single-use plastic materials. As part of it, the civic body has conducted a special drive with six enforcement teams for a week. The drive concluded recently.

935 establishments, including wholesale disposables dealers, retailers, commercial establishments, shops and hotels were raided for a week, according to the corporation officials.

Officials have enforced a fine of Rs 6.78 lakh on the establishments and seized material weighing about 4,955 kg. The seized material commonly comprised of disposable or single-use plastic material and plastic covers that are less than 50 microns in thickness.

However, the civic body has enforced the ban several times earlier on usage of plastics at retail stores across the city, it was the first time action was taken at dealer level. In order to curb the practice, the corporation conducted a meeting with the manufacturers and wholesale dealers but the trade remained unchanged.

M Rama Rao, Municipal Commissioner of VMC, while inspecting the canals in the city on May 14, asked the officials concerned to ensure that no commercial establishment used prohibited plastic bags. He asked officials to continue to impose fine on such establishments as well as the public who dumped garbage on the canal bunds. He also warned sanitary inspectors and staff of departmental action if they failed to keep their areas clean by removing garbage from time to time.