http://oheraldo.in/node/9158
MMC seizes plastic bags HERALD CORRESPONDENT MORMUGAO, JAN 30 - Concerted efforts to gag the plastic bag is not only being seriously implemented in the port town, but is also spreading over to neighbouring panchayats as well. In a sudden move, officials of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday raided the market and seized 15 kg of plastic bags, in a bid to enforce the ban on sale of plastic bags in the port town, which commenced from January 26. MMC officials further tightened the noose on those shop keepers, who continued to sell plastic bags, by collecting fines to the tune of Rs 1,000. The shopkeepers were attempting to sell of their current stock of plastic bags, when the raid was conducted. "This raid was necessary so that they (shopkeepers) should not take the ban lightly," MMC Chief Officer Elvis Gomes told Herald. "With this raid, the ban on the sale of plastic bags will be more effective and no one will try to take the ban lightly." He also stated that he has written to neighbouring panchayats to implement the ban. "In Cortalim panchayat, a huge number of people staged a rally to ban plastic bags. I have also been getting many enquiries from other government officers regarding the notification of the ban, so that they may also follow suit." The initiative of the MMC has paid rich dividends. The Chicalim Panchayat, which also met on Sunday, proposed to ban plastic bags from March 1, while at the Cortalim-Quelossim panchayat gram sabha, Dr Suraj Kanekar submitted a memorandum seeking the ban on plastics, which is appreciated by the members. The panchayat secretary stated that a resolution would be moved in order to ban the sale of plastic bags in the panchayat jurisdiction. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
