Defying ban, plastic bags back in Lucknow markets
LUCKNOW: Polythene bags are back to mock the UP government’s 2015 order declaring the state as polythene-free . The district administration, Nagar Nigam and pollution control board, the agencies responsible for the implementation of the order, seem to have failed in checking plastic use.
Though officials say they succeeded in minimising the use of polythene bags, the ground reality is far different.
In a spot check that HT carried out on Monday, polythene bags were found being used at almost all places, more so at the vegetable markets like Qaiserbagh Sabji mandi, Narhi market, market on Victoria Street and in Old City areas. Plastic bag users were also spotted in other areas including Hazratganj, Mahanagar, Gomti Nagar, Nishat Ganj, Chowk and Thakurganj.
“People are not in the habit of carrying shopping bags. Hence we have no option but to keep polythene bags in our shops,” said Krishna, a grocer in Narhi market. Grocers also said that the government didn’t give any alternative to polythene hence shop owners were still using it widely. “Other bags, of jute or any other material are too expensive. Polythene is cheaper, so perhaps that is the reason why complete ban could not be enforced on polythene bags,” said Gajanan, another grocer. He said the government should have given an alternative prior to issuing the order.
In 2015, the then government issued an order banning the use of polythene bags up to 50 microns, terming it an environmental hazard. Initially the government agencies launched drives in the state capital and seized several tonnes of polythene.
But their efforts lasted for a short time. Now, the implementation of the GO is no less than a blame game for government agencies.
Pankaj Bhushan, environment engineer Nagar Nigam said, “In the GO, it was mentioned that the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and member secretary, Pollution Control Board should file a case against the offender. No specific role for the Nagar Nigam is defined in the order. But still our zone officers carry out anti-polythene drive from time to time and inspectors keep a regular check on the use of plastic bags”.
Dr Ram Karan, regional officer, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) said the board kept writing to the Nagar Nigam to take action against polythene manufacturers and users. But the latter did not respond.
Some who did not wish to be named said the GO did not describe a proper line of action and the sections under which action could be initiated against polythene bag users. This was the only reason why agencies failed to implement complete ban on the use of polythene, they said .