Govt firm to enforce ban on polythene bags

City Desk :

The government remains steadfast in its efforts to enforce the ban on polythene shopping bags, said the chief of polythene monitoring committee.

“All citizens must adhere to the government’s directives to stop the use of such bags, otherwise strict actions will be taken,” Tapan Kumar Biswas, additional secretary and chair of the monitoring committee on polythene, said.

He made the remarks during a monitoring drive at New Market Kitchen Market in the city today, said a press release of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry. Tapan informed reporters that 166 drives have been conducted since November 3 to enforce the ban on polythene use.

A total of 349 entities were fined Taka 19,29,900 and 40,000 kg of polythene was seized during this period.

“Public awareness is growing, and we are witnessing gradual improvements,” the additional secretary said, adding that efforts to eliminate single-use plastics are also underway.

“Awareness campaigns, providing alternatives and strict enforcement are progressing simultaneously,” he said.

During the monitoring drive, members of the market committee acknowledged the harmful effects of polythene use and committed to take eco-friendly alternatives. Officials from the ministry and Department of Environment (DoE), members of law enforcement agencies, and representatives from the media were present during the monitoring drive.