Mumbai, July 2:  Weeks after plastic ban was implemented in Maharashtra,  the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seized 1507 kg plastic from various regions across the state. The BMC has also collected Rs 1,96,5000 in fine after the ban was implemented in the state from June 23.

An official in the state environment department said the ban will cover plastic carry bags, thermocol and plastic plates, cups, forks, bowls and spoons. Unhappy with the government's decision, plastic manufacturers had recently held a protest in Mumbai, opposing the ban.

The Maharashtra state government had announced a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items. For this, the government had given three months time to dispose of the existing stocks, which ended on June 23.

It must be noted that the fine for first-time offenders will be Rs 5,000,  for second-time offenders, it would be Rs 10,000 while those who violate it for the third time will be fined Rs 25,000, along with an imprisonment of three months.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was quoted by PTI saying that the plastic ban can succeed only if all the stakeholders support the move. ”We want to promote responsible use of plastic. Therefore, we have banned the kind of plastic that cannot be collected, regulated and recycled,” he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2018 04:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).