Jaigaon, June 6: The Royal Bhutan kingdom has decided to take a strict stand on the ban that was issued on the use of plastic bags, wrappers and pouches back in April 1999.

On World Environment Day yesterday, the secretary of the ministry of trade and industry issued a fresh notification to the same effect, but with strict penalties for flouting or violating it.

The notification on the ban, which came into effect from yesterday itself and covers all retail shops and shoppers across Bhutan, was issued to ?safeguard the health and safety of people, animals, property and the environment?.

The government can from now on slap a fine of Nu 10,000 (Rs 10,000) on anyone caught using plastic bags. A second violation will invite a suspension of the trade licence for a period of six months and a third breach of the ban will result in the outright cancellation of the right to do business. In the 1999-notification there was no provision for penalties.

The decision follows closely on the heels of the ban imposed by the Bhutan government on the sale of tobacco products and smoking in public places on December 17, 2004, the kingdom?s National Day. Sources said the ban is being strictly enforced.

Jangchub Gyeitshen, mayor of the city corporation, Phuentsholing, told The Telegraph: ?The ban was there earlier too. But we had not been able to enforce it completely. Now that the penalties have been introduced, my department along with the ministry of trade and industry, will conduct more campaigns.?

He said civic workers had even collected plastic bags and wrappers and burnt them. ?But we have stopped this as it is harmful for the environment. Instead we will now give them away the to businessmen in Jaigaon for free.? However, the mayor said the government might put a price on the item in the future.

?The number of plastic carry bags used in Phuentsholing is not much. The only plastic that we have are the pouches of milk, cereal and noodles besides cups, plates and glasses made of the same material. We have to find out means to make our town plastic-free,? Gyeitshen said. The mayor said the ban imposed yesterday ?must be implemented with all seriousness?.

?Another problem is that we buy a lot of things from Jaigaon. So the traders there will also have to be told not to pack our items in plastic carry bags,? he said.

Lalchand Prasad, a shop owner in Phuentsholing, welcomed the ban saying that it was a ?bold move taken by the government?.

?I have already started using paper bags. If need be, I will pack goods in jute bags,? said Prasad, the owner of a large provision store.

On this side of the border ? in Jaigaon ? traders selling plastic carry bags have begun to feel the pinch. ?I sold Rs 5,000 worth of bags per day till some time ago. Today the amount has come down to Rs 750,? said Anil Yadav, a trader. He said shop owners from Phuentsholing, Thimphu and Paro had been buyers. ?We are ruined,? he said.