AMC seizes 66 boxes of banned plastic carry bags; registered FIRs against stockists, manufacturers

Aurangabad, Feb 6:

The sanitary inspectors and Nagarik Mitra Pathak (NMP) of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) today seized 66 boxes containing 2,190 kgs of banned plastic carry bags. Meanwhile, the AMC officials have lodged complaints against the wholesalers, stockist and the manufacturers at the Begumpura police station.

It is the first major action taken by the AMC, till to date, in the city. Under the guidance of the head of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cell Nandkishore Bhombe, the action was taken.

It so happened that the AMC's sanitary inspectors Bandu Sheshrao Sable, Gautam Baban Kamble, Vishal Kharat, Devidas Susar, Balaji Sable, Rohit Gadwe along with NMPs Pramod Sukhada were patrolling in the areas falling between Mill Corner and Delhi Gate. They spotted a pickup van (bearing number MH17 BD 6282) transporting plastic carry bags in the boxes. The owner and driver Rameshwar Khajekar (resident of Shrirampur) was driving the van. On inquiry, he gave evasive replies. Later on, the sanitary inspectors were shocked on seeing the banned material and seized 66 boxes containing 2,190 kgs of plastic carry bags in them. The cost of plastic carry bags is Rs 1.52 lakh, and the cost of van is Rs 3 lakh. Hence the total value of seized material is of Rs 4.52 lakh.

Of the 66 boxes, eight boxes of valuing Rs 31,776 are of Gangwal Plastics (Aryannagar); four boxes valuing Rs 14,868 are of C. Plastics (Chelipura); four boxes valuing Rs 17,700 are of Jain Plastics (N-3, Cidco) and 50 boxes valuing Rs 88,000 are of M/s Shri Ganesh Industries (MIDC Shrirampur). The plastic carry bags of less than 50 microns thickness are dangerous for humans and animals' health. Hence the complaint has been registered for violation of the ban against all of them and the manufacturers at Begumpura police station. Meanwhile, NMP squad also filed a complaint against Nazim of Shalimar Plastics for abusing a team member and also creating an obstruction in filing the case.

Meanwhile, the AMC administrator A K Pandey has made an earnest appeal to the citizens and the traders to avoid using the banned plastic carry bags. He recommended bringing change in lifestyle, which would generate less garbage. This would enable the AMC to implement cent per cent ban on the plastics in the city.

Bhombe also urged the traders and the citizens to co-operate AMC as the government GR issued on dated June 30, 2020 orders to take penal and legal action against manufacturers of banned plastic, stockists, transporters and users.