The demand for a ban on the usage of plastic carry bags weighing below 20 micron is gaining momentum in the Malbazaar sub-division in the Dooars of Jalpaiguri district.
Despite the statewide ban on the same notified a few years back, the civil administration in Malbazaar sub-division and the local civic bodies have so far failed to enforce it. The laxity on the part of the administration has left all concerned fuming.
Criticising the administration's failure, members of an Odlabari based voluntary organisation today served a memorandum to the Mal SDO and demanded that the ban on trading and usage of plastic carry bags be implemented throughout the sub-division at the earliest. The organisation members have also offered voluntary service for carrying out awareness drives for the purpose. Contacted on the issue, the Mal SDO, Mr Debal Ghosh said that he would “look into the matter.” The SDO, however, refused to cite reasons for not enforcing the ban on carry bags so far.
The Jalpaiguri district magistrate, Mr R Ranjit compensated the SDO's response saying that “lack of civil awareness,” was coming on the way. Mr Ranjit added that the district administration is trying to enforce the ban in each and every corner of the district.