It’s been over one month since the plastic ban was passed by the Tamilnadu government and News Today made a visit to various shopping areas in the neighbourhood, especially the Porur market, to learn how far the rule is being effectively followed by shopkeepers.
Even as this correspondent entered the market, she saw fish stall owners and flower vendors at the market using plastic bags. Many roadside vendors too used plastic bags to pack vegetables, fruits and other items for their customers.
“BAN FOLLOWED ONLY FOR A WEEK”
Talking about the present scenario, Radhakrishnan, a local here, said, “We buy flowers on a daily basis. At first, our vendor started selling the flowers in cloth bags. Three days after that she used just paper to pack the flowers. However, after a week, she started giving it in plastic bags once again. Not just her, except for a few, many shopkeepers did the same in our locality. Those who still stick to the ban keep advising their customers to bring their own bags.”
MEET THE STRICT SHOPKEEPER
Among those who do not bother to follow the government rule, here is a vendor, Nagajothi, who strictly follows it. She also promises to stick to it permanently. She said, “I strictly follow the no-plastic rule and ask my customers to bring their own bags. However, many forget to bring their own bags and I keep insisting each and every one of them not to do so.”
“Not only shopkeepers but also the people should cooperate to make this ban a successful one. Fearing that business would go down, many shop owners have started using the plastic bags once again,” she added.
TEA IN PLASTIC CUPS?
The correspondent also witnessed some of the construction employees in the locality drinking tea/coffee in plastic cups. Asked about it, the workers informed that for the past three to four days they have been getting the beverages in plastic cups.
On the whole, shopkeepers and roadside vendors, unanimously, said that in addition to their efforts, it is also the duty of the public to make sure they take their own bags to shops. Only then the ban can become a successful one, they said.