Traders say alternative to plastic too costly

new delhi: Worried over the ban on plastic bags in the Capital, traders are now looking for options. In an interactive session between the traders and the government on Thursday, the former raised their doubts and discussed ways to make Delhiites aware about the ban. Some RWAs also attended the session.
Said Praveen Khandelwal, president of the Confederation of All India Traders Association (CAIT): ������After studying the orders given by the high court and its interpretation by the Delhi government, we found that there are some dark areas which need to be looked at.We welcome the ban on plastic bags but are concerned about the alternatives and government plans, if any, for compensating several people involved in the manufacturing and distribution process.������
Bijendar Gupta, a trader said, ������It���s very simple for the government to say that plastic bags can be replaced by those of jute and cloth. But the high cost is not being taken into account at all. One can buy 50 plastic bags at the price of a medium-sized jute bag. We don���t mind changing our ways but the government must give us concessions and provide us with reasonably priced bags.������
Said, JK Dadoo, environment secretary: ������We are making all efforts to create awareness about the ban and are trying to organise concessions, but it will take sometime. The court���s order is to ban plastic bags and not the plastic used in packaging. This is for the simple reason that Delhi is not a manufacturing state, it imports all its material from other states. Thus, the ban cannot be extended to packaging.������
Considering that disposing of plastics is a huge problem and has also led to death of cows and problem of choked drains, Dadoo added, ������There are several NGOs providing bags made of jute and cloth at reasonable prices to replace plastic bags. We understand there is some confusion due to the immediate blanket ban but we are also ready to listen to the problems faced by traders and the people.������