TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to ban the use of plastic in the port town.
This was decided during the council meeting on Tuesday. Councillor Nitin Chopedkar informed the council that MMC was the first and only council in the State to ban plastic totally, irrespective of permitted microns.
Chopedkar highlighted various ill effects of plastic and suggested that the council should ban the use of plastic. “Besides the shopkeepers and other vendors, even those found carrying plastic bags should be fined,” suggested Chopdekar.
Supporting Chopedkar’s views, other councillors stated that if plastic is banned then the total volume of garbage collected by the council will be reduced.
Welcoming a total ban, Councillor Nanny D’Souza requested the council to distribute jute bags through a sponsor. D’Souza said that while creating awareness, it will also send a message that every citizen should carry their own cloth / jute bags while going shopping.
Vice Chairperson Shekar Khadapkar said the councillors should lead citizens. He suggested that MMC should implement the ban with immediate effect and issue a fine to shopkeepers and other fruit and vegetable vendors found using plastic carry bags. “Even citizens using plastic bags should be fined Rs 100 and if a councillor is found carrying plastic bag, then he should be fined by Rs 500,” he added.
Chairperson Fiola Rego told Herald that the ban will be implemented with immediate effect. “Awareness will be created on the ill effects of plastic among the citizens in the coming days and besides shopkeepers and fruit and vegetables vendors, others found carrying plastic carry bags will also be fined Rs 100 on the spot,” added Rego.
