Drive against polythene use lasts just one day

Though the UT had announced massive crackdown on those using and distributing polythene bags, the drive lasted for just one day. The sub-divisional magistrates of the eastern and southern part of the city carried out drives but no other agency came forward on the day one on Saturday.

Though the UT had announced massive crackdown on those using and distributing polythene bags, the drive lasted for just one day. The sub-divisional magistrates of the eastern and southern part of the city carried out drives but no other agency came forward on the day one on Saturday.

On Saturday, the drive was carried out in Sector 26 grain market, Manimajara, Sector 20, Sector 41, Burail village, Sector-43 mandi, and Butrela village. Over 77 challans were issued and maximum fine of Rs 500 was imposed. (HT Photo)

Sources say since Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee member secretary Danish Ashraf, also the nodal officer of the smart city project, is busy making the final draft proposal to be submitted on December 15, the other departments simply chose to ignore the drive.

On Saturday, the drive was carried out in Sector 26 grain market, Manimajara, Sector 20, Sector 41, Burail village, Sector-43 mandi, and Butrela village. Over 77 challans were issued and maximum fine of Rs 500 was imposed.

With the administration going soft on violators, residents as well as traders are also taking the recent National Green Tribunal ruling - on imposition of penalty of Rs 5,000 on violators - lightly and continue to use polythene bags, plastic cups and glasses. Though the ban is in existence since 2008, many residents as well as traders are still using polythene carry bags.

Danish Ashraf said, “We are serious on strictly implementing the NGT ruling, and it’ll be easy for us if the residents and the traders support us. People should realise the use of polythene is harmful for the environment. Only fine or challans should not be a deterrent to shun the use of the polythene.”