Team Herald
PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Wednesday said that 11 vendors have paid registration fees seeking to give/sell plastic bags above 50 microns to customers.
Speaking to Herald, Panjim Mayor Vithal Chopdekar said, “Till now CCP has collected Rs 3.44 lakh from 11 vendors that will allow them to give/sell plastic bags above 50 microns to their customers. Out of the 11 vendors three have registered for a period of one year, while five for six months, two for three months while one vendor has only paid for five months.”
He added, “The Corporation cannot reverse the annual fees as it has come from the Central government. It is the decision of the Central government. We have requested shop owners to charge a fee per each bag as is done in supermarkets and stores.”
CCP through a notice had also warned that shopkeepers and vendors found selling goods in plastic without having registered will be penalised under Section 45 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1996, which mandates imprisonment of five years and a fine extending up to Rs 1 lakh or both. In case of failure or if the contravention continues then an additional fine of Rs 5000 will be levied daily.
