Three years on, ban on plastic bags goes haywire

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 16

The Director of Environment and Climate Change has asked the Municipal Commissioner to take stern action against manufacturers, stockists and shopkeepers who promote use of polythene (plastic) bags in the city.

The state government has completely prohibited manufacturing, distribution and use of plastic bags by enforcing the Carry Bags (Manufacture Usage and Disposal) Control Act-2005, on April 1, 2016.

However, from vegetable vendors to high-end stores, everyone shopkeeper offers plastic carry bags to their customers.

Kahan Singh Pannu, director, Environment and Climate Change, stated that a carry bag means plastic bag weather it was self-carrying handle or “D” punched handle.

“Plastic carry bag can be plain plastic bag or woven plastic carry bags. The MC Commissioner is authorised to take action against the violators,” said Pannu.

He also asked the civic body Commissioner to initiate a drive against the manufacturing, stocking, distribution, recycling, sale and use of plastic carry bags in the city.

“There is no alternative to plastic bags. These bags are easy to carry for me as well as for my customers,” said Raman, a vegetable vendor.

Gurmej Singh, a resident said, “The government and residents will have to step forward to ensure proper implementation of the order. The administration acts only for a few days. It seems the government is not concerned about environment.”