Plastic ban turns into extortion as inspectors fine permitted items too

MUMBAI: Day two of the ban on single-use plastic in the state proved that citizens were willing to adjust to the stoppage of plastic carry bags. It is the lack of options for packaging material that remains a thorn in the side.
The greatest risk to the ban, however, comes from its unfair implementation that is swiftly sliding into extortion. Civic inspectors went around the eastern suburbs Sunday and fined people for items that are not on the list.

Mall stores in Chembur, Ghatkopar and Mulund were penalised Rs 5,000 each for reusable plastic tubs used to stock candy floss, and for kulfi wrappers that are packaged by manufacturers and therefore not prohibited for use. The manager of the candy floss outlet said, "We were shocked when 30 inspectors arrived at our stall and asked us to cough up Rs 5,000 for our plastic installation containing candy floss. When we tried to argue they said they would charge us Rs 5,000 for each of the five boxes which amounts to Rs 25,000. So we apologised and paid Rs 5,000 that they had initially demanded."

BMC says its drive is proving to be successful as only 8% of the total establishments inspected by them were found to have banned plastic.

But the city continues to fumble for cheap and viable alternatives to plastic. At a wedding reception in Bhandup on Saturday evening, single-use plastic could be seen in plenty. "A lot of spoons and plates which were being used during the dinner were made of plastic," said a guest.

Citizens and establishments are incurring input costs, some of which will fuel inflation. High Point Restaurant in Andheri's Lokhandwala Complex was forced to purchase 200 metal jars for home delivery of sambhar and chutney, each costing Rs 90-145. They also bought cloth bags, dismissing their thick carry bags although these are reusable and last for two years.

A grocer at Siddhivinayak store in Mulund West said, "Brown paper bags cost Rs 82 per kg or Rs 2.25 each. We may restrict them to high value purchases."

Traders who are desperately seeking alternatives are getting no answers from the state. They are now raising questions about the so-called compostable or non-plastic bags used by large chains or malls which are labelled 'I am not plastic'.

"If it is indeed viable why is the government not recommending it to other traders? Or is it only a label. And who certifies its veracity. Are inspectors equipped to differentiate or will they go by face value?" asked Sanjay Gala who heads a traders' association in Andheri East.

On the ground, Sunday shopping was dampened by rain coupled by the plastic ban. Spontaneous purchases fell, with citizens limiting their shopping list as paper and cloth bags soaked easily.

Fewer people turned out at Hypercity Vashi. Here fruits and vegetables were being packaged in biodegradable plastic rolls and brown paper bags. Foil boxes were used for meat and fish. Company chicken like Zorabian sold in plastic trays and cling film as before. Almost everybody was carrying cloth bags.

At meat shops in Manpada, Thane, Mulund and Kalyan some buyers came with their own containers on Sunday. "Mutton and chicken cannot be wrapped in old newspapers. Brown paper bag smells. This is the only option," said A K Basu from Kalyan.

Roadside vegetable and fruit sellers stopped giving plastic bags. "We are sitting in the open and will be the first ones to be spotted,'' said a tomato seller on J Nehru Road in Mulund West.