Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) is making constant efforts to check use of plastic carry bags within municipal limits. The Health Department of JMC is continuously carrying out the drive and realising spot fine from shopkeepers and street vendors who use banned plastic carry bags. Surprisingly, JMC is showing no interest in taking action against manufacturers and wholesalers, who are producing plastic carry bags in bulk and circulating it in the markets. The civic body is only targeting small shopkeepers and street vendors who earn their daily bread with temporary vegetable, fruits and other grocery shops.

JMC is realising fine from poor vendors who earn money by operating shop on handcarts and through roadside kiosks. The indifferent attitude of JMC raises a question mark on its intention of checking use of plastic carry bags within municipal limits.

Small shopkeepers and vendors say that the JMC should take action against the manufacturers and wholesalers who dump sub-standard plastic carry bags in the market.

Secondly, vendors say that the civic body should also create public awareness as people do not carry jute or cloth bags with them and ask them to provide fruits, vegetables and groceries in plastic bags.

They are forced to keep carry bags in stock as the customers ask for it. Hence, the Health Department of JMC should first take action against the businessmen who manufacture and market the banned products in the market.