The Patna Municipal Corporation has failed to take action against those using polythene bags less than 50 microns thickness. The civic body had vowed to penalise such offenders and lodge FIRs against them.

The team that was conducting the raids on Thursday, chose to be lenient. Of 20 violators which the team came across in Punaichak and New Secretariat areas, the team imposed fine on just 10 and FIRs were lodged against none.

“Only 10 people were penalised in today’s drive even though the number of violators was more than double,” said licence inspector of PMC Uday Shankar Paswan, adding that Rs 1,000 was charged as fine from all 10 violators. “We let off the rest with warning,” he added.

According to rules, polythene below 50 microns should not be in use. However, many traders were found violating the norm. The Telegraph  spotted many traders using polythene bags violating the norms even after PMC officials left the spot. It was obvious that their shops were not checked by officials during the drive.

Suraj Kumar, a vegetable vendor near New Secretariat, said he was not checked by PMC officials during the drive while his fellow shopkeepers were checked. “The PMC officials did not check everyone. I was lucky,” said Suraj.

Suman Devi, a fruit vendor said though around 1.5kg polythene bags was seized from her shop, she was left off with a warning and she also did not have to pay any fine for violating the law. Asked why action was not taken against all violators, Paswan had a bizarre explanation: “Many of the violators were women. We let them off on humanitarian grounds.” 

Some shopkeepers were found arguing with officials for not taking action against the customers who were using polythene bags in violation of the norms. “I don’t understand why PMC officials are targeting shopkeepers. If shopkeepers are taking the law into their hands by using polythene bags less than 50 microns and they are being charged for this, then the customers should also be held responsible for the same. The PMC is neither taking action against customers nor against the plastic factories. How come supply of banned plastics is on even after the ban?” said Rakesh Kumar, owner of a chicken shop at Punaichak, who had to pay Rs 1,000 fine.

PMC officials, however, pointed out reasons for not being able to conduct the drive properly. PMC commissioner Abhishek Singh said he would check and direct officials concerned to follow the norms.

“After the high court’s directive regarding the drive, we have even made a route chart of locations for the drive. The 
idea is to cover wards of all circles in a month. However, it is not possible for us to ensure cent per cent checking of the shops during the drive due to manpower crisis. As far as randomly charging the violators is concerned, I would issue directives to the officials of all circles to look into the issue and follow norms while taking action against violators,” said Singh.