District Administration announces eco-friendly substitutes of plastic bags as raid continues

Cachar district administration continues its drive to make Silchar town and its adjacent areas plastic-free. After Tarapur, the task force built to restrict the usage of single-use plastic raided in several other areas like Sadarghat and seized more polybags. Several vendors and shop owners were fined for keeping polybags and other single-use plastic materials.

Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Laya Madduri issued a media statement that the administration is keeping a close eye on the pandals under construction. She urged the Puja Committees to refrain from using plastic materials like disposable cutlery, thermocol, etc. She said that the administration is doing its best to aware and educate people of the Valley but if they still continue to use them the administration will impose fine and seize items.

Madduri said that this drive against plastic is a joint initiative between Cachar District Administration and Silchar Municipality Board. She said that the administration has identified plastic as hazardous as it blocks the flow of water in drains which leads to water-logging in the town.

While this drive to restrict plastic pollution received a warm welcome from all section of the society, many questioned the availability of an eco-friendly alternative. The administration has now made a move to find a solution to that too. “To provide an alternative, District Administration, Cachar, is guiding SHG members under Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Cachar with the help of Bhoomi Women Trust in making cloth bags, eco-friendly folders (made with Bamboo, Jute, Cane etc.) and other items,” informed the administration.

Cachar District Administration added a post on its officials Facebook page which stated, “About 50 – 60 skilled SHG members are involved in making cloth bags and other eco-friendly items exclusively. They have the capacity to supply 30,000 cloth bags every month and can expand their production further depending on demand.” 

The administration has appealed to everyone, who has the requirement to place the orders with SHG members. “For placing order you may contact – Office of the District Mission Management Unit, ASRLM, Cachar. Mobile: 6001284218,” said the post.