Shop owners fined Tk 70,000 for using polybags

Environment and Forest minister Shahjahan Siraj yesterday made a surprise visit to Shantinagar Bazaar and Liha Dry Cleaners at Purana Paltan to assess the situation following the ban on polythene shopping bags.

During his visit, a mobile court seized a huge quantity of polythene shopping bags from Mohammad Ali Stores at Shantinagar Bazaar and Liha Dry Cleaners and fined Tk 10,000 each. The mobile court also realised Tk 50,000 in fines from ten shops for using the banned bags.The minister said stern lawful action would be taken against the shop owners and manufacturers if they are found using the banned shopping bags.

He urged all to use shopping bags made from jute.

The minister said

From now mobile courts will conduct drives regularly to take legal action against those who produce, market and use polythene shopping bags, the minister said.