The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has backtracked on its proposal to fine-tune the penalty amount levied by the state government in the plastic ban. Days after it proposed reducing the fine from the lofty Rs 5,000 to a reasonable Rs 200 for citizens and hawkers, the Shiv Sena-led civic body rejected the proposal on Wednesday.

Can't change law
The proposal of the new and reduced Rs 200 fine was tabled on Wednesday for final approval before BMC's law and revenue committee, which is headed by Shiv Sena corporator Suvarna Karanje. Ironically, all committee members, including Sena corporators, sent back the proposal to the civic administration. However, when mid-day spoke to Karanje on Monday, she'd assured it would be passed as it is in the larger public interest.