Polybags still in vogue in Brahmanbaria
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Our Correspondent
BRAHMANBARIA, Apr 27: Polythene bags have again flooded the markets in all nine upazilas in the district defying the official ban on its production, marketing, use and storage, sources said. Although different types of bags including those made of jute are available, a section of wholesale traders are supplying polythene bags to the rural markets of the district. If a customer buys vegetables at a kitchen market, the vendor gives him a polythene bag. This banned product is even found available at medicine shops. As for the authorities concerned, they seemed to be either oblivious or apathetic to this widespread sale use of polybags in the district. In the rural areas, where vigilance of the law-enforcing agencies is almost absent, polythene bags are found in all shops, locals said. Polythene is still used for packaging, cement, fertiliser and other commodities. When asked for comments on the use of polythene bags, some retailers said, they prefer using them as they are comparatively cheaper. Various companies also use it for packing milk powder, biscuits, chanachur, spices, mustard and soyabean oil, powder soap, atta and flour, rice, medicine, ready-made clothes etc. and the consumers dump those in the drains, ditches, roads, croplands after use. Local people said, polythene bags are still being sold at rates ranging from Tk 2 to 3 each. However, most of the poor villagers are still ignorant about the bane on polythene bags. Local environmentalists urged the authorities concerned to take effective steps to stop the use of polybags without further delay.
BRAHMANBARIA, Apr 27: Polythene bags have again flooded the markets in all nine upazilas in the district defying the official ban on its production, marketing, use and storage, sources said. Although different types of bags including those made of jute are available, a section of wholesale traders are supplying polythene bags to the rural markets of the district. If a customer buys vegetables at a kitchen market, the vendor gives him a polythene bag. This banned product is even found available at medicine shops. As for the authorities concerned, they seemed to be either oblivious or apathetic to this widespread sale use of polybags in the district. In the rural areas, where vigilance of the law-enforcing agencies is almost absent, polythene bags are found in all shops, locals said. Polythene is still used for packaging, cement, fertiliser and other commodities. When asked for comments on the use of polythene bags, some retailers said, they prefer using them as they are comparatively cheaper. Various companies also use it for packing milk powder, biscuits, chanachur, spices, mustard and soyabean oil, powder soap, atta and flour, rice, medicine, ready-made clothes etc. and the consumers dump those in the drains, ditches, roads, croplands after use. Local people said, polythene bags are still being sold at rates ranging from Tk 2 to 3 each. However, most of the poor villagers are still ignorant about the bane on polythene bags. Local environmentalists urged the authorities concerned to take effective steps to stop the use of polybags without further delay.