Despite a complete ban on the usage of polythene imposed by the Jharsuguda Municipality, polythene bags are rampantly offered by the shopkeepers in the city.
Be it garments, eatables or groceries, shopkeepers across the board are using polythene bags and their customers are also equally complicit. The ban has been in force since January 1, 2017.
Residents of the district who welcomed the ban at the time of its imposition are now disappointed with its dismal execution.
Premium outlets in shopping malls such as City life Bazar, Vishal Mega Mart, Reliance Shopping, Big Bazar, Punjab Cloth Store and other high-end establishments are charging between Rs 3 and Rs 5 for carry bags made of cotton and jute which are being promoted as alternative to polythene bags, said Mahima Sinha, a resident of Sarbahal area.
Despite crores of rupees spent by the municipality, it still hasn’t been able to execute a project aimed at providing proper drainage and sewage system in the town while polythene bags continue to choke drains in many areas of the industrial town. In a few days, this may result in severe water logging in this low-lying town in the coming monsoon.
“Apart from making the drains free of polythene bags, it is high time the municipality also took steps for strict enforcement of the ban order on polythene carry bags,” said Viren Panda, a resident of ward number 12 of the municipality.
When contacted, Jharsuguda Municipality Executive Officer Ram Chandra Pradhan said that the municipality ran a month-long campaign to discourage residents and shopkeepers from using polythene and now there is a fine from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 in place for violating the norms.