Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said the government will start strict monitoring and enforcement of the ban on the use of polythene shopping bags from November 1.
She announced that operations will be carried out against polythene shopping bag manufacturers alongside taking legal actions against the supermarkets in case of providing such polythene bags.
The adviser came up with this announcement while addressing a view exchange meeting at the textiles and jute ministry at the secretariat to discuss the implementation of the 2010 Mandatory Jute Packaging Act and to promote jute bags as an alternative to plastic ones.
Rizwana said if people stop using polythene bags, the production of this plastic would be stopped. "Public awareness is crucial, and any intentional negligence will be met with actions," she said.
Initiatives will be taken to help people understand the harmful impacts of polythene bags so that they voluntarily refrain from the use of such plastic bags, said the adviser.
Textiles and Jute, and also Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain stressed the need for increasing the use of jute bags for the sake of protecting the environment.
He assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure an adequate supply of jute bags, saying that if needed, raw jute exports will be halted.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Jute Department Zinat Ara and representatives from various business associations were present.
