The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today issued a notification reminding shopkeepers not to use plastic bags.
Anyone found selling plastic bags risks having their trading licence cancelled, Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne said.
The council plans to send its officers on the ground to ensure that the notification is followed by all. The ban applies to all markets under the jurisdiction of the KHADC.
“We are starting with Iewduh and we urge the traditional heads to cooperate and work together with the Executive Committee,” the KHADC chief said.
Executive Member Grace Mary Kharpuri said that the ban on plastic bags will open up opportunities for those who manufacture paper bags and she also urged shoppers to carry their own cloth bags, known as ‘pla iew’ in Khasi.
“We hardly see people carrying the pla iew nowadays,” Kharpuri said.
She also said that the KHADC is ready to help cooperative societies or individuals who are into manufacturing paper bags.
