CUTTACK: Polythene carry bags continue to flood Cuttack with residents and traders having scant regard to the ban imposed by the state government on October 2. According to sources, lack of awareness and inadequate steps for implementation of the ban order are to blame."People still prefer plastic carry bags here to carry goods. No enforcement activities have been taken up to ensure that traders don't sell the banned bags," alleged Sandeepan Parida, a resident of Jobra.Another resident Alok Das said unabated use of these carry bags choke city drains hampering discharge of waste water. The civic conditions worsen during the monsoon because of plastic waste litter.At present, the city generates 350 metric tonnes of solid waste every day out of which nearly 25% is polythene. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has seized five quintals of polythene from shops since October 2. "A 25-member team has been formed for enforcement of the ban and raids were regularly carried out in different parts of the city," said CMC joint commissioner Subash Nath Sharma.On Friday, raids were carried out near SCB Medical College and Hospital, Kanika Chhak, CDA, Sectors 6, 7 and 8 and Rs 3,600 fine was imposed on traders. He also admitted to the rampant use of polythene. "We are spreading awareness among the people," he said.

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