<span style="color: #222222;">In Maharashtra, District Collector Kailas Shinde yesterday launched a crackdown on the use of plastic at a market in Palghar and fined errant shopkeepers 5,000 rupees each. An official said that the action came after Shinde noticed the plastic wrapping on a bouquet he was felicitated with at a local event in Palghar city.<br />'' <br />'' The official said that the collector immediately directed officials to raid shops in the market area near the civic headquarters, where shopkeepers were found using plastic bags rampantly.<br />'' <br />''In a related development, the Thane Municipal Corporation on Friday carried out a drive at different locations and seized 350 kg of plastic items and collected fines to the tune of 2.3 lakh rupees. The ban on plastic will be stringently imposed across the state starting May 1. </span><br />