Balurghat Municipality conducts anti-plastic drives

BALURGHAT: A special team from Balurghat Municipality led by municipal administrator and sub-divisional magistrate Isha Mukherjee has been conducting anti-plastic drives at various market places since Sunday.

Meanwhile, the concerned authority had earlier banned using plastic bags less than 40 micron in April, 2018. The team has already started inspecting shops to see whether they are still using the banned carry bags for delivering goods and items. The authority has also initiated awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of plastic bags.

"Our team has started visiting the markets. Stringent action will be taken against anybody found using banned plastic carry bags. Both purchasers and sellers have to face penalty charges if found flouting the rules," said Isha Mukherjee. Notably, numerous drives have been conducted by the civic body so that the residents follow the rules. Different social welfare and local environmentalist organisations and NGOs have welcomed the drives.

According to the residents, the imposition of penalty is a good move. "The use of such bags cannot be prevented unless regular monitoring by the district and civic administrations continue and fines are levied on offenders," said a local, Apurba Choudhury.