Gilgit (PR): In a statement issued to the media, the president of the Trade Union of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Ghulam Hussain Malik, and the secretary general of Gilgit Central Association of Registered Tradesmen Momi Mughal have expressed their doubts over the distribution of eco-friendly shopping bags by the administration.
According to the statement, they have got information that the administration had purchased 2-ton eco-friendly shopping bags to distribute among shopkeepers and traders. However, with the lapse of more than 20 days, there is no clue where these bags go. It is a strong possibility that these shopping bags might be sold in black.
According to the statement, the administration had also promised to give loans to the traders to buy eco-friendly shopping bags. However, with the ban on plastic bags on the first of the current month, not a single penny has been given to traders. The statement further says that the administration is deliberately delaying the disbursement of loans to benefit a company.
According to the statement, the business community does not oppose any environment-free alternative to plastic shopping bags. They are just asking to give them some time to exhaust the current stock of shopping bags or provide eco-friendly shopping bags.
If the administration resorts to coercion and raids, the business community will protest by closing shops and markets, says the statement.
