Chandigarh, February 12 The Chandigarh Administration has issued a draft notification to declare the city "polythene bag free' by not allowing vendors, shopkeepers, retailers and traders to use, transport and manufacture polythene bags in the city. The administration has invited objections to the scheme within the next 60 days. However, the proposal to impose a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in the city has been opposed by industrialists and traders. The traders complained that the ban will not only affect industrial units engaged in manufacturing polythene bags but will also force the consumers to bear the additional cost of jute or paper bags. The draft issued by the administration states, "The UT administrator directs that no person including a shopkeeper, vendor, whole sellers or retailer, trader, hawker or rehriwala shall use polythene/plastic carry bags for supply of goods in polythene/plastic carry bags and further directs that no person shall manufacture, store, import, sell or transport polythene/plastic carry bags in Chandigarh.' The administration has said that the notification issued in September 2003, banning the use of polythene bags less than 30 microns was not effective. If implemented, Chandigarh would become one of the first cities in the country to ban polythene bags. Sources in the administration said that the ban was imposed as the use of poly bags was detrimental to the environment and the health of human beings and animals. Meanwhile, MPS Chawla, nominated councillor and president of the Chandigarh Industries Association said, "With the imposition of a complete ban, nearly 55 small industrial units engaged in manufacturing polythene bags in the city will be forced to close down, rendering nearly 2,000 workers jobless. The administration should introduce the ban in a phased manner. Polythene bags produced in other cities are a major cause of concern. Despite the imposition of a ban, poly bags will be procured from suppliers across the city.' Chiranjeev Singh, president of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal said, "If the ban is imposed on plastic carry bags, substitutes such as jute or paper bags will cost more. The consumers will be forced to bear the additional costs. The existing conditions in the city (of not allowing smaller less than 30 microns poly bags) are enough to address environmental concerns. The administration should reconsider its decision.' PJS Dhadwal, additional director environment said, "The issue of micron or size of the polythene bags does not matter now as have proposed for a complete ban on the use and manufacture of the plastic bags in the city.'