Women SHGs to make eco-friendly carry bags

Hyderabad: With the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation looking to enforce the no-plastic ban strictly from July 1, mayor Banda Karthika Reddy has said permanent stalls would be established at all Citizen Service Centres for selling jute and cotton bags produced by women self-help groups.Exhibitions would be conducted in all 18 circles and training provided in Mahila Bhavans to SHGs for manufacturing eco-friendly bags.The mayor added that loans will be arranged through banks under the Swarnajayanthi Shehari Rojgar Yojana through the Urban Community Development (UCD) wing of the GHMC.At a recent meeting with SHGs, manufacturers of paper, jute and cloth bags and NGOs, Karthika Reddy said the GHMC will take all steps to create awareness on use of paper, jute and cloth bags. She added that SHG groups should take pivotal role in the anti-plastic campaign.Deputy mayor Jaffar Hussain said everyone should take personal initiative to refuse plastic carry bags from shopkeepers. He said the would automatically raise the demand in cottage industries for environment-friendly bags.Additional commissioner (H&S) Aleem Basha informed the civic body will create awareness about the plastic ban through posters, advertisements in newspapers, slides, documentary films and other media avenues.He added that they have already started issuing notices to manufacturers for closure of production of plastic carry bags.