Srinagar, Dec 1: Jammu and Kashmir government has miserably failed to implement the much-hyped ban on use of polythene in the state, given the contrary reports stemming from the ground.
 The use of polythene has resurfaced across Kashmir much to the annoyance of environmentalists, who had expressed optimism that the ban, enforced from 2009, would put an end to the use of the hazardous substance in the state.
 This time around, there is an open use of polythene being observed in the markets across Kashmir, without any hindrance.
 Vendors and shopkeepers are selling the goods in the polythene bags. “There is no ban,” said a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk. “We don’t manufacture polythene bags on our own. We purchase it from some quarters. So it is better if it is banned from the source.”
 According to official sources, “lack of will” on part of the government is the sole reason for the failure of the ban on ground. “In 2009 the government issued some notifications with regard to polythene ban. But on ground, nobody acted. You have to first see how the polythene-laden trucks enter the Valley,” said a senior officer in the Housing and Urban Development Department. “Once you are able to identify the source, you will have to then act and ban the entry of the substance to the Valley. The question is how the polythene-laden trucks are allowed to proceed near Lower Munda (Qazigund) Toll Post. It needs will power to enforce the ban.”
 According to environmentalists, the hazardous substance has, of late, again affected several water bodies and springs in Kashmir. “The polythene use substantially affects the quality of soil. The problem here is that too many cooks spoil the broth. Here the concerned agencies don’t know their powers with regard to polythene ban. They just shift the blame on each other, without looking on what is happening on ground,” said an environmentalist.
 Officials believe the ban must be completely enforced and special teams be constituted to raid different markets. “Here officials in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation express concern over the use of polythene on Eid. For rest of the year, it is no issue for them. In such a scenario it is not possible to enforce the ban. What is essential is to act on the issue with dedication,” said the HUDD officer. “The state government has to take a stand against the use of polythene and make the rules very clear. Each department associated with the issue must know its responsibilities and powers so that action against the defaulters becomes easy.”
 The officer said: “In Kargil and Leh you won’t find much use of polythene for a simple reason that they want their places to be polythene-free. So we as people have to wake up to the menace and put an end to it.”
 To the great annoyance of the residents, heaps of polythene are seem littered around especially after the famous Sunday market closes in the summer capital.
 The authorities acknowledge that the polythene use has resurfaced. When contacted, the Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, said he had recently directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to enforce the ban. “I will seek the progress report from the Corporation in this regard. Recently I also observed the use of polythene in the summer capital. I assure that we will look into the issue forthwith,” he told Greater Kashmir.
“We are at it. We will be soon launching a drive against the defaulters,” said Farooq Gillani, Regional Director (Kashmir) State Pollution Control Board. “Ban is still there. The municipal corporations and town area committees were asked to monitor the ban. But that hasn’t happened to the desired extent.”

Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Dec 2010 00:00:00 IST