SHILLONG: Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh may introduce the use of cloth bags and encourage shopkeepers to do the same to end people’s dependence on plastic.
Though the ban on plastic bags is in force in the State, it has been lax in parts of the city.
Lyngdoh said he had purchased a cloth bag from Delhi with an intention to experiment the use of the same in city. “Shopkeepers should insist customers to use cloth bags and the former can also provide the bags to the latter when they make purchases,” he said and added that with a collective effort, “the dream of making Shillong plastic-free can be achieved”.
“For example, the respective Dorbar Shnong and the District Council can withdraw the trading license of a shopkeeper in Police Bazar if he continues to use plastic carriers in the day-to-day transactions,” Lyngdoh said.
He also said many cloth bags, if produced locally in large scale, can provide employment to the people, especially women and thereby add to their income.
No proper exit in
Bara Bazar
The biggest traditional market in the State, Iewduh (Bara Bazar), has no escape route if any major calamity occurs.
During a recent visit to Iewduh, the Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister expressed shock over the state of affairs in the market as he felt that it is high time for the Syiem of Mylliem to provide safety routes, which will help people to exit in case of an emergency situation.
“The market is very crowded and there should be phase-wise reconstruction of the market with modern facilities to reduce congestion,” Lyngdoh said.
The minister suggested soft loans from HUDCO to reconstruct the market, which is currently not organised. “I have also asked the Syiem of Mylliem to take steps to ensure cleanliness in the market,” Lyngdoh added.
