CHANDIGARH, Jan 14: The Chandigarh Administration's decision to ban use of polythene bags in Sector 17 today created confusion among traders, thanks to a misleading press note issued yesterday by the UT Public Relations Department.Subash Kataria and Jagdish Kalar, president and general secretary respectively of the Sector 17 Traders' Association, appreciated the administration's step, restricting use of polybags but regretted that they had not been taken into confidence, although the association had played a leading role in conscientising people about the environmental hazard by organising numerous rallies.Although the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Enforcement Wing today removed phari vendors from the Sector 17 piazza, no step has so far been taken to check the use of polybags.When the Newsline team visited the Sector 17 piazza, people were found carrying carry-bags, indicating that the ban had hardly had any effect.Traders reiterated that they had sought restrictions on recycling of bags, and pointed out that as per the Central Government notification, polybags conforming to BIS standards may be used. The traders demanded 60 days, as promised earlier, for inviting objections.Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration Environment Department has clarified that it has invited objections from affected persons regarding the ban on polythene bags in Sector 17 within 60 days from the issue of date of the draft notification. These objections will be taken into consideration before the issue of the final notification.
