Agra: In the wake of the UP government’s move to ban use and manufacture of polythene, plastic bags and thermocol, shopkeepers are in a dilemma over what to do with around 500 metric tonnes of the stock that has been procured already.According to sources, the ban introduced with immediate effect has come as a rude shock to the businessmen who are now being forced to make payments even though they are unable to make any use of the goods. What has added to their worry is that the manufacturers have also refused to take back the stock that has already been sold.Ritesh Gupta, a retailer, said, “The news of ban on single-use plastic came in the first week of July. Since then, shopkeepers have stopped placing orders. Those who had taken the stock earlier are now returning it. We are under pressure to make payments. The ban enforced in less than 15 days of the announcement is causing a lot of trouble.”Another trader Vineet Arora said, “Banning plastic use will not yield the desired results. Government should focus on stopping the production first.”Manohar Lal Mangwani of Harsh Plastics House said, “There are around 100 businesses associated with single-use plastic operating in the city. We have no idea what to do. Manufacturers will not take it back. Government should make efforts to find some cost-effective substitute to it.”“The move targets only small shopkeepers and common people,” said another shopkeeper, who did not wish to be identified.

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