Panchkula traders blind to polybag ban

PANCHKULA: Despite a blanket ban on the use of polythene carry bags by the Haryana government, with a view to reduce pollution levels, these are still being used rampantly in the city. It has been over three months since the government issued a fresh notification imposing restrictions on the manufacture, sale and distribution of polybags besides recycled polybags, yet nothing much has changed on the ground.
Local shopkeepers and vendors can still be seen handing out goods to customers in polythene bags. Moreover, the ban has not stopped people from dumping or burning polybags in the open in the city. These carry bags can be seen dumped on roads across the city. The MC, Panchkula, one of the authorities responsible for implementing the ban, says the order is difficult to implement unless people and shopkeepers cooperate and agree to fulfill their social responsibility. MC president Ravinder Rawal said he will soon write to market welfare associations and resident welfare associations (RWAs) asking them to implement the ban on use of polybags. The department has also been issuing challans, but there is a need to increase awareness, Rawal said.
RWAs and market welfare association members would be asked to see to it that residents don’t use polybags, and instead carry alternatives like jute or eco-friendly paper bags, Rawal added. Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) regional officer C B Singh said they have been issuing numerous challans every month. According to HSPCB data, around 200 challans have been issued to various violators including vegetable vendors, shopkeepers and customers till June 27 this year.
There is a price to pay for not being eco-friendly. There is a heavy penalty of Rs 25,000, which may extend up to Rs 50,000 for the first offence by manufacturing units for manufacturing and delivery of polythene bags in Haryana. Likewise, retailers, vendors and other establishments could be fined Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 for the first offence of delivery of goods in polythene bags and the trade licence of the violator could be cancelled for a subsequent offence. An individual could be fined Rs 250 to Rs 500 if caught carrying a pollythene bag.