Ban on plastic carry bags: Panaji civic body to fine vendors from today

PANAJI: Commercial establishments and retail stores caught selling or distributing plastic carry bags within the city jurisdiction will be penalised with a fine of Rs 5,000 from Saturday.

The decision was taken at a Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) council meeting held on Friday, CCP commissioner Ajit Roy said.

Roy also said that repeat offenders will be charged a penalty amount of Rs 10,000 to ensure that a strong deterrent prevented the rampant use of plastic carry bags, which are then carelessly discarded and most often end up clogging the city’s drains.

“Our ban on plastic carry bags is in force and today, the corporation has taken a decision on the quantum of fine to be levied if a violator is identified,” Roy said. “They have decided that for a first-time violator, the fine amount will be Rs 5,000 and for the second offence the fine amount will be Rs 10,000. This will be effective immediately.”

In a council meeting held a couple of months earlier, the corporation had decided not to permit the use or sale of plastic carry bags within CCP’s jurisdiction. A council resolution taken to that effect was sent to the department of municipal administration for notification. “In the meantime, since October 2, we have tried to ensure that this ban is implemented properly and the inspectors are doing their job. Residents and citizens are complying with the order,” Roy said.

He clarified that the ban and the fine was applicable to vendors selling plastic bags. Some council members also suggested that fine of a lesser quantum should be imposed on citizens found using plastic carry bags. “Only those bags which are certified as safe will be considered free of plastic,” Roy said.

At the meeting, the council also resolved to extend the contract for 287 daily wage workers for a further period of six months.

The meeting witnessed a heated discussion over the appointment of a new animal rescue agency and an agency to maintain the municipal gardens and traffic islands.

A decision was finally taken to invite tenders for both contracts.