Punjab to Odisha, single-use plastic ban has little effect in towns

Small businesses say they were not consulted about the restriction and they can't refuse customers

Eighteen days after India banned single-use plastic (SUP), Jalandhar’s Maqsudan Mandi vegetable market appears not to have got the memo.

“Customers have a cavalier attitude towards the ban. While some support the ban, others ask us to provide them with polythene bags. We are in no position to say no as it will affect our business,” said Suresh, a vendor in the market and who uses a single name.

“There are three main issues with the ban. Firstly, a lot of vendors, especially in small towns, are not aware of the ban. Second, even if they are aware, they are