Pune: A growing rift between Pune traders and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has surfaced regarding the enforcement of the plastic carry bag ban.
While the PMC has ramped up its actions against shops storing plastic carry bags and single-use plastics, the Pune District Retail Traders’ Association has accused the corporation of extorting fines under the pretense of addressing sanitation issues.
The association president, Sachin Nivangune, expressed strong opposition to PMC’s approach. In a statement, he alleged that PMC officials conduct raids with large teams of 25–30 employees and impose fines arbitrarily.
“Plastic carry bags are widely used, but shopkeepers are unfairly singled out. Even if no plastic bags are found, fines are levied under the excuse of unsanitary conditions,” Nivangune stated.
PMC Denies Misuse of Authority
Responding to these allegations, PMC Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kadam dismissed the claims, stating that traders must adhere to the plastic ban.
“Our personnel are acting as per directives from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. The crackdown involves multiple staff members due to the scale of operations. Efforts to misrepresent PMC’s actions and create misunderstandings are uncalled for,” Kadam clarified.
He further urged traders to refrain from keeping banned plastic materials in their shops and to cooperate with the municipal authorities to ensure effective implementation of the plastic ban.
Traders Demand Cooperation
Nivangune, however, criticized the manner in which fines are imposed. He alleged that traders face intimidation from PMC employees and are penalized multiple times for unsanitary conditions at the same shop. “We have evidence of such practices. We are willing to support the campaign to ban plastic carry bags, but this requires mutual cooperation,” he emphasized.
Longstanding Plastic Ban Enforcement
The PMC’s actions are part of an ongoing effort to enforce the plastic carry bag ban mandated by the state. The ban aims to curb environmental damage caused by single-use plastics. However, traders have repeatedly expressed concerns about what they perceive as high-handedness in the implementation process.