Fewer plastic bags, shopkeepers vigilant

CHANDIGARH: In a reality check that was carried out by TOI from Saturday, Day 2 saw fewer plastic bags being carried by shoppers in the markets of sectors 8, 16 and 17. However, Sector 17 small vendors were seen selling winter warmers in polythene bags. When TOI bought some items to check if they were being sold in plastics, few hawkers without a hitch packed them in polythene bags as if they knew nothing about the raids that took place on Saturday morning.
However, many shopkeepers avoided using plastic bags out of the fear of being fined Rs 5,000.
Shubham, who runs a Verka booth-cum-daily need store in Sector 8 market, said, "We cannot afford to pay a challan of Rs 5,000. Therefore, we have disposed all plastic items, including cups and plates."
According to Nirbhay Jha, an employee at Gopal restaurant of Sector 8, said it's a good thing that there is a ban on plastics as they harm the environment.
After the raids on Saturday, about 80 shops were challaned. The news regarding ban of plastic bags and challans seems to have spread through city markets creating awareness among the shopkeepers and shoppers alike..
Many traders are avoiding polythene bags to avoid being fined and many others don't keep any bags as most of the customers bring their own bags while shopping.