PLASTIC BAN IN MAHARASHTRA
FROM TOMORROW.
Maharashtra government will start penalising all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items from tomorrow (Express Photo by Sahil Walia) From June 23, India’s second-populous state Maharashtra will start penalising all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items. The Devendra Fadnavis-led state government enforced the ban after issuing the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (manufacture, usage, sale, transport, handling, and storage) notification in March this year. The government had given the manufacturers, distributors, and consumers a period of three months to dispose their existing stock and come up with alternatives to plastic usage.
While environmentalists welcomed the cabinet’s decision, the plastic
industry has slammed the government calling it “retrograde step.” With its huge
dependence on plastic and lack of alternatives to the banned products, many
also wonder if the plan would be a success. Here is all you need to know about
the Maharashtra plastic ban.
The Maharashtra government on March 23, 2018, banned the
manufacture, usage, sale, transport, distribution, wholesale and retail sale and
storage, import of plastic bags with or without handle, and disposable products
made out of plastic and thermocol. Citing the environmental risks and harm
caused to wild animals from ingestion or entanglement in plastic, the
government enforced the ban with immediate effect.
Under the notification products manufactured from plastic and
thermocol have been covered under the ban. As a result usage of plastic bags
with a handle and without handle, disposable cups, and plates, spoons, forks,
glasses, and containers is prohibited in the state. Plastic packaging used to
wrap and store the product is also included in the ban.
Maharashtra plastic ban: As per the notification,
violators will be fined Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for the first and second-time
offense. A third-time offender will have to shell out Rs 25,000 and may also
face imprisonment for a period of three months.
Prof. John Kurakar
