The development authority’s move to enforce the ban on plastic at its markets and headquarters from September 1 has emerged a flop show.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had announced to impose the plastic ban from October 2, but the Bhubaneswar Development Authority went a step ahead to implement it a month earlier at its four major markets — Indra Dhanu Market at Nayapalli, Priyadarsini Market at CRPF Square, Kalyani Market at Unit-VIII and Ruchika Market at Baramunda.
However, a reality check done by The Telegraph on Wednesday revealed that the authority was far from accomplishing the task — mainly for two factors. Neither it has been able to run any awareness campaign — which it was supposed to do — to sensitise both vendors and shoppers, nor are the customers willing to take paper bags against any extra charge from the shops. As a result, the use of plastic is still rampant at the markets.
Picture by Ashwinee Pati
“Plastic carry bags have become an integral part of our daily life. It is difficult to come out of the house always with a carry bag, especially when we are shopping tiny items. It is important for the government to provide a better alternative first before going ahead with the ban,” said Baramunda resident Subhashree Jena.
A shopkeeper at the Indra Dhanu Market said they did offer paper bags to the customers and charge a small amount for it, but not many were in favour of taking it. “If we argue with customers, they will stop visiting us,” he said, underlining the risk factor.
Before implementing the ban, the authority had decided to undertake awareness activities for a month or two. Besides, if the use of plastic continued among the vendors, there were also plans to take stringent action against them by cancelling their trade licences. But, its campaign has still been limited to only putting up some banners at random places. “This is not the way to create awareness. The authorities should come up with concrete ideas,” said Gitanjali Maharana, a shopper at Priyadarsini Market.
Picture by Ashwinee Pati
An authority official, however, said they had formed a dedicated team to draft the plan for implementing the ban first by creating awareness and then by intensifying the enforcement activities. “We are planning to take the help of voluntary organisations to accomplish the task,” he said.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, which is also an implementing agency for the decision, has also kept mum after forming a team and deciding to organise rigorous camps for sensitising the people and shopkeepers. “We are going online to create awareness,” said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.
He said the top government officials were all set to co-ordinate the awareness camps at various high footfall areas. “We are steadily organising the camps and have decided to intensify the same more rigorously after the world cup hockey. Other plans for the plastic ban will be implemented in a phased manner,” said the mayor.
