The ban on use of polythene bags in Dehradun has continued to elicit mixed response from both the public and the business fraternity. While a section of both the public and business fraternity have stopped using the banned items, there are many who still continue to use them due to absence of what they call a practical and cheap alternative.
When The Pioneer interacted with shopkeepers in the Paltan Bazaar, there was not uniform view as some traders have taken the ban on polythene bags in a positive manner while some are not satisfied.
Ishan Sharma, a local shopkeeper said that he had stopped using polythene bags two years ago. The manufacture of polythene bags should be stopped, only then will the ban on its use be implemented effectively, he opined.
Another shopkeeper, Mehtab said that shopkeepers are facing problems due to the ban on polythene bags. “The cost of cloth hand bags is high and we don’t charge anything from the customers for these bags,” he said. A dry fruits seller, Amit Dua said that he doesn’t use polythene bags for the welfare of society.
While many shopkeepers have stopped using the banned items, most of the vegetable and fruit vendors have continued to use the polythene bags. Such vendors aver that they are forced to use the banned items because the customers refuse to buy fruits or vegetables if these are not given in polythene bags. Such vendors cannot afford the cloth bags so they have no other option but to use plastic bags.
On the other hand some prominent shops and marts are charging up to Rs five for the cloth bags in which they give items sold to customers.