MNS chief Raj Thackeray (Photo | AP)
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has questioned the haste in announcing the ban on plastic and the silence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the ban. Likening the plastic ban to Demonetisation, he wanted to know why there was no alternative system given before implementing the ban.
Speaking to media at his Krishnakunj residence here in Dadar on Tuesday, Thackeray referred to the fine amount “as an attempt to collect election funds from plastic manufacturers. The government has to stop the action taken to enforce the plastic ban.”
He wanted to know why the government did not impose a complete ban on plastic and exempted branded chips packets. “The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was trying to shirk from its responsibility and trying to pin the blame on the people,” he said.
Urging people not to pay the fine, Thackeray asked what the corporations have done to keep cities clean. He argued that plastic was not bad, but needs proper and effective management. “There are no dustbins where the people can dump their waste,” he pointed out, and added that the government has not imposed similar bans on other illegal items.
“The government and the corporations need to improve their administration and then charge fines from the people,” he averred. Replying to further queries on the fines imposed, he added that fines were being imposed merely in the name of Swatch Bharat.
