PONDA: In an initiative to make the town plastic free, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) installed cloth bag vending machines in five prime locations including two at the market, one at the bus stand here.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Officer (CO) Yogiraj Gosavi said that the PMC had imposed a ban on the use of plastic since 2022 and urged vendors to make the best use of cloth bags and refrain from using plastic ones.
“Earlier citizens were blaming the PMC for issuing fines and not providing options for plastic bags but as of now, cloth bags are made available in plenty. Henceforth vendors found using plastic bags will be heavily penalised,” the CO said.
He said that every citizen was duty bound to protect the environment and urged locals to support the civic body to eradicate plastic menace.
Chairperson Ritesh Naik said that plastic was a nuisance as it choked drains and gutters besides killing stray cattle.
Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, councillors, MRF officials, vendors and citizens were present on the occasion.
