With just 15 days left for the enforcement of ban on polythene bags in the city, the authorities are gearing up to make it a success. The question, however, remains whether the ban will go up in smoke, as alternatives to poly bagsare still not available in the market.
The administration plans to kick start its campaign and spread the message that poly bags will be banned after October 2 and in case anybody is found with polythene, (s)he will not only invite a heavy fine, but also a trial under the Environment Protection Act in city's district courts. Also, the administration has constituted teams, which will have medical officers, food inspectors and SDMs, to check the violations made by residents. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee will check the violations made by industries engaged in polythene bags manufacturing.
"We are about to start the awareness campaign to inform residents about the complete blanket ban of polythene bags. Apart from advertisements, announcements will be made through loudspeakers by our department officials," said Ishwar Singh, director, environment department, Chandigarh. He added, "We will ask residents to use bags made of jute or cloth."
The UT administration through a notification had made it clear that from October 2 no person, including shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader, hawker or rehriwala , would be allowed to use plastic carrybags for supply of goods. Not just on supply of polybags, there is also a complete ban on its manufacture, store, import, sale or transport in the city.
When asked if visitors coming from other states will be dealt with as per the law, Singh said, "We hope that city residents being well aware about the ban will avoid polythene bags' use, whereas, on the entry points of city, commuters will be informed about it."
City's various trader associations had made it clear that the cost of jute and paper bags would be borne by the end-users. However, in the absence of units manufacturing jute and paper bags, their cost will leave a hole in the pockets of buyers. The 45 manufacturing units, which were making polythene bags, plan to shift their base to nearby areas.
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