Mumbai, June 15: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a bid to encourage people not to use plastic, has roped in Bollywood couples Ajay Devgan and Kajol, according to news reports. Devgan and Kajol will also host the plastic ban event for BMC at the National Sports Club of India (NSCL) in Worli, however, the dates of the event are not yet decided by the civic officials. Earlier, to educate people on how to segregate and compost the waste, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was called to host the event in September last year.

At the exhibition, manufacturers who produce environment-friendly bio-degradable bags and other products will be invited. The general public will understand the different alternatives available in the market which they can use as a replacement for plastic bags and cutlery items. Reportedly, the civic body will impose fines on violators from June 23 onwards. The BMC's licence department, law department and the market department have been given the task to keep a watch on those who continue to use banned plastic even after warnings.

The BMC can fine Rs 5, 000 to the first time violators, however, the fine amount can increase beyond Rs. 10, 000 for breaching the norms. The Maharashtra environment minister implemented a blanket ban on plastic usage from April month onwards -- on Gudi Padwa across the state. Following the request of Yuva Sena chief and son of Uddhav Thackeray -- Aditya Thackeray to bring the ban. The request behind the demand is to reduce the plastic usage in the state which is creating a serious problem to the marine life. On several occasions, Junior Thackeray was also seen with Samaritans like Afroz Shah on Mumbai's Versova beach and Dadar beach to participate in their beach cleaning drive.

Coming back to BMC's awareness campaign to reduce plastic usage it deployed plastic collection centres at highest foot count areas. It also started toll-free helpline numbers to answer queries of people regarding the plastic ban earlier. According to civic officials as both Ajay Devgan who is known as the Singham and romance queen Kajol popular, therefore, their appeal to people regarding not to use plastic will create a larger impact.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2018 06:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).