Kolkata Mayor targets banned plastic bag sales enforcement

Kolkata's Mayor Firhad Hakim is taking action against banned plastic carry bags. He plans to write to the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) to suggest regular monitoring and raids on wholesale markets in Burrabazar and nearby areas. Hakim emphasizes that simply fining small traders in municipal markets will not fix the issue. He believes the PCB should focus on larger wholesale markets, especially in the Burrabazar area, to effectively stop the sale of banned plastic bags. His comments came after councillor Biswarup Dey raised the issue during a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) meeting. Dey pointed out that while some traders continue to use banned bags, many hawkers also cover their goods with plastic sheets, which creates problems for pedestrians. A source from the KMC's market department mentioned that hawkers in key areas have been instructed to limit the use of plastic sheets, allowing them only during the monsoon season.