KARACHI, April 29: The drive against the usage of polythene bags of less than 30 microns thickness has been intensified in the metropolis, as city government officials raided several shops, superstores and markets to arrest and fine violators of the ban.

Several teams, comprising officials of the Revenue Department having magisterial powers, raided various city areas and so far, arrested some 60 traders for selling goods in polythene bags, besides imposing a fine of Rs167,000 on other violators.

Officials said that the designated teams were equipped with a device to gauge the thickness of the polythene bags, and action was being taken against only those who were using polythene bags of less than 30 microns thickness.

After the promulgation of an act called the “Sindh Prohibition of Manufacturing, Sale and Use of Polythene Bags-2006,” the city government imposed a ban on polythene bags of less than 30 microns thickness in the metropolis under section 144, under which violators would be given a three month imprisonment or a fine up to Rs50,000, or both.

Officials maintained that wholesalers have started normal supply of polythene bags of prescribed specification in the metropolis, but a number of traders were still using the old stock, which was less than 30 microns.

On the other hand, people of the metropolis were facing hardships due to the ban, as the majority of shopkeepers provided goods in plastic bags if customers spent a certain amount in their shops.

A retailer informed this reporter that he provides goods in plastic bags to those customers who spend more than Rs75 at his shop to adjust the cost of polythene bags, which, according to him, was Rs200 for a pack containing 100 plastic bags.

Sources said that the city government is considering a proposal to supply bags made of cloth and paper in the metropolis, on an experimental basis, to curb the usage of plastic bags.

The sources said that in the second phase the usage of plastic bags of 30 microns or above would also be banned in the city.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal agreed that initially, there were some problems due to the ban on polythene bags.

“The ban was imposed in the larger interest of the people, and our aim is to free the city from polythene bags.”

He said that the problem phase would be over after the availability of other alternatives of plastic bags.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the city government in its drive against plastic bags.