Rayagada: While efforts are underway to make Odisha plastic and polythene-free, residents and traders in Rayagada are oblivious of the ban on polythene ordered by the civic body in the town.
Raids were conducted in the town after the plastic ban. However, local sellers had urged the authorities to extend the deadline till their polythene stocks are exhausted. The municipal authorities had conceded the appeal for a few more days. However, locals of the towns are seen using plastic even after the extended deadline for plastic ban is over.
Meanwhile, the state government has imposed a ban on sale, storage and manufacture of plastic and polythene bags in six cities – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela and Puri. The government has also threatened to penalise persons selling and using polythene bags.
Meanwhile, many animals are reported to have died after consuming polythene wrapped food littered at garbage dumps and drains.
When contacted, executive officer of Rayagada municipality Mangelal Jain said the deadline was fixed for November 30, but the local traders have sought exemption for 20 days more to implement the ban on use of polythene bags.
PNN
