The Maharashtra government’s has imposed state-wide ban on the use of plastic items, including carry-bags and thermocol.
For the first time offenders, the fine will be Rs 5,000. For second time offenders, the fine will be Rs 10,000. Those who violate it for the third time will face a fine of Rs 25,000, along with imprisonment of three months, media reports said.
A PTI report quoted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as saying that the plastic ban can succeed only if all the stake-holders support the move.
“We want to promote responsible use of plastic. Therefore, we have banned the kind of plastic that cannot be collected, regulated and recycled,” he reportedly said.
The chief minister was quoted as saying that the ban puts the onus on the polluters, but at the same time some exceptions have been made so that businesses are not hampered till alternatives have a strong presence in the market.
“The ban will succeed only with the participation of all the stake-holders and that the government has made a committee to ensure trouble-shooting and smooth adaptation.
“We do not want to promote police raj and we are also trying to address the concerns of traders and small vendors,” Fadnavis reportedly said.
On March 23, the state government had imposed a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items, the report said.
The government had given three months time for the disposal of the existing stocks, it added.