Ban to drive out poly bags begins

A drive began in the capital on Friday to execute the ban on the use of polythene shopping bags as stern action against their producers starts tomorrow (Sunday).
The environment ministry launched the monitoring drive to curb the use of the polythene bags.
A team from the ministry inspected Mohammadpur Krishi Market and several nearby supermarkets in the capital.
Earlier, a committee was formed to monitor the execution of the ban in the market.
The committee members urged shoppers to use jute and cloth bags instead of polythene ones to protect the environment.
They also asked vendors to stop using polythene bags, warning that stern action would be taken if polythene bags are found during inspections in future.
Tapan Kumar Biswas, additional secretary (Environmental Pollution Control) and head of the monitoring team, said that strict legal actions would start against manufacturers of polythene bags on November 3.
He also says instructions have been given to all deputy commissioners and field officers of the Department of Environment to ensure the compliance.
Although mobile courts would not operate on November 1 and 2 due to the weekend, monitoring would continue, he added.
The head of the monitoring team called for public cooperation to drive out polythene bags.
Joint Secretary Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Deputy Secretary Rubina Ferdousi and Directors of Department of Environment Rajinara Begum and Mohammad Masud Hasan Patwari and officials concerned were also present during the monitoring.

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