Traders not to use polythene bags from Jan 1

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, December 15

Businessmen and shopkeepers of Pithoragarh and Dharchula towns have taken a pledge not to use polythene bags from New Year.

“We have decided to give traders a 15-day time to arrange alternative bags made of paper and cloth as the traders body will penalise the traders who will use polythene bags,” said BS Thapa, president, Traders’ Association in Dharchula.

According to the business community leader in Dharchula, besides banning polythene bags by traders, the traders’ body will take help from schools in making Dharchula polythene free January.

In Pithoragarh town, business community after pledging not to use polythene bags from January 1, has demanded not to ban polythene bags up to 20 micron thickness and only ban polythene bags carry more than 30 micron thickness. “We have instructed members not to use polythene bags with more than 20 microns thickness from the New Year and have requested the administration to allow 20 micron thickness bags as these are essential for some traders,” said Pawan Kumar Joshi, president, Udhoyog Vyapar Mandal in Pithoragarh town.

Meanwhile, social activist and local PG College teacher Dr Ajay Shukla has said his team will resume a campaign to remove polythene bags from Pithoragarh town from New Year. He appealed to businesses establishments to use paper and cotton bags in place of polythene bags. “This move will also provide jobs to thousands of women who prepare paper and cotton bags in the town and other places,” said Shukla.