Nashik: The waste management department of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has so far recovered fine of Rs 30,000 from various traders for selling thermocol-made items. The NMC squad is carrying out inspections in various markets of the city during the festival.On March 23, the state government imposed ban on plastic and thermocol ban giving a month’s time to dispose of these items. Later, an extension was given. Subsequently, the Nashik civic body issued a public notification issuing directives on how to make the city plastic free.“We have fined vendors who were selling decorative thermocol items for Ganesh Festival and confiscated the material,” said an NMC official.The NMC has so far collected nearly Rs 50 lakh as fine against the offenders of plastic ban. As per the notification, plastic manufacturers will have to stamp plastic carry bags mentioning that it is above 50 micron in thickness. Plastic carry bag up to 50 micron is already banned.“We had already asked manufacturers to put a stamp on the bags. We have fined vendors who were selling plastic without stamp,” said the official.From April till date, the waste management department of the NMC collected about 50 lakh while conducting inspections.In Panchavati division, Rs 3.10 lakh fine was collected, in Nashik Road fine of Rs 8.89 lakh was collected, in West division fine of Rs 4.37 lakh was collected, in East division fine of Rs 3.22 lakh was collected, in New Nashik (CIDCO) fine of Rs 2.70 lakh was collected and in Satpur division fine of Rs 1.60 lakh was collected.“Before the ban plastic was used rampantly in Panchavati and East divisions that have many temples by the river bank. It is good that in these divisions plastic use has gone down and the river and its banks are also significantly clean,” said another NMC official.

Stay updated with all the Latest Nashik headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.