Despite ban,top brands refuse to trash plastic

At bustling Bikanerwala in Rajouri Garden,sweets are still sent out in plastic bags. On July 10,a case was filed against it by the Environment department of the Delhi government.

On July 10,popular retail outlet —West Side — in TDI mall in Rajouri Garden was also served a notice for handing over merchandise in plastic bags. Nearly two months later,they continue to use them.

The Delhi government seems to be fast losing its battle against the ban on plastic bags and now even Environment department is finding it tough to rein in offenders. Despite prosecuting 30 retail outlets for giving out plastic bags,most continue to use them.

“Shoppers Stop as a company is extremely sensitive towards conservation of the environment as is evident in the brand’s advertising campaign. Plastic bags earlier used by Shoppers Stop are above 40 microns,which is an acceptable standard and are recyclable,” Malini Sharma Thakur,Customer Care Associate & Assistant Manager of Shoppers Stop said in an official reaction. The bags also carry the logo indicating that they are recyclable. The Shoppers Stop outlet at Rajouri Garden was also prosecuted for the offence. Close to Shopper Stop,Rajouri Garden,West Side Mall continues to hand out their merchandise in blue bags. “Environment department officials came for an inspection and took away 20 bags as a sample. They told us that they would inform us in case they found our bags not up to the mark. Since they have not informed us till now we have not communicated anything to the head office about switching to paper bags,” said Sanjay Dhaiya,assistant manager,operations,at the store.

The Environment department,however,clarified last week that all plastic bags,even if they are above 40 microns,cannot be used. The department also carried a clarification. Using any plastic bag is a violation of the Delhi government’s notification on January 7 that clearly states that sale,use or storage of all kinds of plastic bags shall be forbidden in the notified places.

The Environment department,meanwhile,said that they can do nothing about it except to file a case against the repeat offenders yet again. “There is no provision of on-the-spot challaning or fining for violations. We pick up the samples and file the case in court. They will be tried under the law and the court will announce a suitable penalty,” said Principal Secretary Environment,Dharmender.

According to the law,violation of the ban can invite maximum punishment of seven years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both.

The other big names to be prosecuted included West Side,Numero Uno,Life Style Store,Bikanerwala and Bata Shoe Store in Rajouri Garden. Sree Leathers,Bata Shoe Store,Planet Fashion and the Reebok Showroom in Connaught Place.