K'pong acts tough on plastic bag users

SNS, Kalimpong, 16 November 2018: The Kalimpong Municipality has strictly started imposing tines on shops in the town that use plastic bags.

Councilors of the municipality raided some shops at Haatbazar, Lal Gulli and CK Chowk, and found more than 15 shops using such carry bags, which were later seized.

The civic body has been keen on beautifying the town ever since they formed the board.

"The shops where we found plastic bags were fined Rs 500.If we find them using the same again, we will tile a case against them under the Pollution Act," said sanitary officer Sanjay Pradhan.

'The main idea behind this drive is to make people aware the consequences of using plastics. However, it sometimes gets impossible to convey the message against plastic use to each and every passerby. We will tan out across the town and try to catch people using plastics. We may impose Rs 1000 in fines on such people," Mr Pradhan added.

Municipality chairman Rabi Pradhan said that they have been conducting this campaign to diminish the use of plastic bags for months now.

"But some people tend to take it for granted and use it continuously". We surveyed the town two months ago and found less use of plastic bags. but it suddenly started growing with the onset of the festivals, he said.

We will visit shops once again and it we find them using plastic bags again, we will not renew their trade licenses

and will cancel the shop's registration," the chairman added. While he also appealed to the people to cooperate with the Municipality in the drive.