Plastic and gutka ban

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Oct. 19: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration held a meeting today at the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhawan here and decided to implement the ban on the use of plastic bags and gutka strictly in the hills from October 28.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung along with Darjeeling MP, S.S. Ahluwalia will be taking part in a clean up drive here on October 28.

Roshan Giri, GTA executive Sabha member, said: “At the meeting it was decided that the GTA will enforce a ban on the use of plastics and also sale of gutkas fom October 28 onwards. A vigilante team of 50 people will be formed in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik area to enforce the ban. The ban will be enforced through the municipalities.”

The hill body will be launching the “Swach Bharat Abhiyan” started by the Centre in the GTA area from October 28 onwards.

Amar Singh Rai, the chairman of Darjeeling municipality said: “We will start issuing notices to shopkeepers from tomorrow informing about the ban.”