The government remains steadfast in its efforts to enforce the ban on polythene shopping bags. All citizens must adhere to the government's directives to stop using such bags, failing which strict actions will be taken.
Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary and Chair of the Monitoring Committee on this issue under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated this during a monitoring operation at New Market Kitchen Market in Dhaka on Friday, said a press release.
He informed reporters that 166 raids have been conducted since November 3 to implement the ban. A total of 349 establishments were fined 19,29,900 BDT, and 40,000 kg of polythene was confiscated during this period.
“Public awareness is growing, and we are witnessing gradual improvements,’ he remarked, adding that efforts to eliminate single-use plastics are also underway. “Awareness campaigns, providing alternatives, and strict enforcement are progressing simultaneously,” he emphasized.
During the monitoring activity, members of the market committee acknowledged the harmful effects of polythene usage and committed to adopting eco-friendly alternatives.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Department of Environment, law enforcement agencies, and representatives from the media participated in the monitoring operation.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
