Kolhapur: Although Kolhapur Municipal Corporation officials initiated a drive against the use of plastic carry bags following the state-wide ban, shopkeepers continued to use these bags, given they could not find alternatives. At meat and fish markets, especially, shopkeepers were at a loss for what else could be used.“Chicken and mutton delivery is a big challenge. A few people came without containers in which we could sell the meat and we were forced to provide carry bags. If we had been firm about not using the bags, we might have lost business,” one mutton seller said, saying he stopped using the plastic bags once he got information that a KMC official was arriving for inspection.“Perhaps silver foil can be used. Years ago, people would bring their own containers. As time goes by, people will figure out ways to buy meat and fish without using plastic bags,” the mutton seller, whose shop is on the outskirts of the city, said.On the second day of the drive, KMC officials fined four traders, all bakery owners. A fine of Rs5,000 each, totalling Rs20,000, was collected. KMC officials seized plastic weighing 4.5 kg from them.“We will intensify our drive against traders and shop owners using plastic from Tuesday. At present, the staff is busy conducting surveillance for dengue prevention. The drive against dengue will continue till June 27 and after that we will be free to conduct surprise checks on plastic ban violators. A special workshop for KMC officials will be held on Monday, so officers know which material is banned and which exempted from the ban. This is to ensure that they conduct their drive against plastic with a full awareness of the rules so citizens and traders not found violating the law are not harassed,” a senior KMC official said.

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