Penalty for flouting rule will remain in place for now

Times of India: Pune: Monday, June 25, 2018.

The civic body has clarified that it will not initiate any steps to reduce the fine amount for violating the plastic ban in the city. Leaders of the ruling BJP in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are in favour of ensuring the fine amount remains unchanged.

Talks related to reducing the fine amount were arranged after a similar initiative was considered at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). A group of elected members of the BMC had proposed a reduction in the fine amount from Rs.5000 to Rs.200, since implementing action and charging the fine would be a tough task for civic officials.

“Though the ban is good in principle, the ground level implementation is wrong. The civic body, which is implementing the ban, is not prepared for it. The system is not in place to carry out drives and curtail the use of plastic entirely,” said Ajay Vaishampayan, a social activist. He has sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act about the preparedness of the civic administration. He said that PMC could not provide details relating to plastic garbage and carrybags.

“We are not thinking of reducing the fine on the lines of BMC. If any such decision is taken, citizens will be informed accordingly,” said mayor Mukta Tilak.

Officials said that PMC can make a suggestion to reduce the fine amount before the state government. “A green signal would be required from the civic body’s standing committee and general body before getting the final stamp from the state government,” the PMC official said, requesting anonymity.