Plastic bags to be banned in Maharashtra?

25-Aug-05

The incessant rains in the week starting 26 July 2005 which caused floods in various cities of the Western state of Maharashtra and paralysed Mumbai city, have claimed yet another victim- the plastic bag manufacturing sector. Triggered by complaints of choked drainage and storm water drains due to plastic bags, the Maharashtra Government has set in motion the process to ban the use, sale and manufacture of plastic bags in the State. The ban would be applicable to all types of plastic bags and pouches, but not water bottles. The government has set a timeframe of 30 days to deal with objections and suggestions from people on the issue, after which the cabinet would take a final decision. This ban is expected to come into effect on September 24. This decision comes a day after the Maharashtra Governor S Krishna expressed that the total ban on plastic was not wise. Although the sale of bags would be banned, manufacturing would be allowed as companies could sell them in other parts of the country. Shop-keepers, traders, small retailers and hawkers using plastic bags will be fined Rs 5,000 or asked to pay a fine in proportion to the stock of such bags found with them. A third time offender could face a three-month imprisonment. People using plastic bags would be fined Rs 1,000. The ban will be enforced through raids carried out by municipal authorities.