Kovai corpn mops up Rs 55,000 as fine enforcing plastics ban

Coimbatore: Coimbatore Municipal Corporation (CCMC) is acting tough on wholesale and retail commercial establishments for using one-time-use plastic products banned by the state government.

On day two of the blanket ban, officials collected fine to the tune of Rs 55,000 from wholesale and retail establishments on Wednesday alone, across all five corporation zones.

Speaking to DC about the spot collection drive, Swachh Bharat Nodal Officer, K.V. Thirumal said, "individual teams comprising officials from various departments of the civic body visited various wards of the five zones of the Coimbatore Corporation.

The teams randomly inspected small and big commercial establishments. Those caught red-handed using any of the 14 banned plastic products were fined on the spot," he said.

While a fine of Rs.2,000 was slapped on retail commercial establishments, penalty of Rs. 10,000 was imposed on wholesale establishments for violating the government order. The spot fine collection drive from violators will continue, Thirumal warned.  

Meanwhile, in the days to come, individual consumers found violating the ban will also be fined on the spot.

A fine of Rs. 100 will be collected from citizens found using plastic products.

In parallel, conservatory workers across the 100 wards in the city are involved in door-to-door collection of the banned plastic products. The collection drive was launched a day prior to January 1.

Residents and commercial establishments are also given few days to drop off banned plastics at zonal offices. About 650 tonnes of (banned) plastic has been collected as on Wednesday afternoon.