Maharashtra: Plastic ban comes into effect from today

The plastic ban imposed by Maharashtra government in March has come into effect from Saturday.

Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam while addressing media said, that they will ensure that errant manufacturers violating the banface a strong action, but common people and small traders will not be harassed.

"We will ensure that common people and small traders are not harassed. But strict action will be taken again plastic manufacturers (if they break the law)," the senior Shiv Sena minister said.
There will be no relaxation in fine, he said.

"An extensive awareness campaign will be carried out in the next eight days to inform about banned items,"Kadam also added.

On March 23, the Maharashtra government announced a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials as it became the 18th state in the country to impose such ban.

The fine for the first-time and second-time offenders will be Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. A third violation will attract a fine of Rs 25,000 and a jail term for three months.

The government had given three months to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose ofthe banned plastic items.

Under the ban, the plastic products such asmilk pouches, wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products and PET bottles were exempted.

However, the PET bottles and milk pouches will be sold at an additional price of 1-2 rupees which will be refunded to the consumer after the return to the retailer for recycling.

Dairies have also been instructed to make an attempt to sell milk in glass bottles.

During the media address,Kadam reiterated that 80 per cent of banned plastic items are manufactured in Gujarat and smuggled to Maharashtra. He then added that anybody who will be caught bringing plastic goods will be imprisoned for three months.

The banwill mostly hit jobs in the plastic sector in Gujarat, he said, adding "we will find alternative jobs for those who are affected in Maharashtra."

On the demand to exempt thermocol used for decorations during Ganesh Festival, Kadam said, "Some Maharashtrian youths met me and requested that they be allowed to use thermocol items in the festival this year as they had already purchased these items."

The empowered committee of the government, dealing with the ban, will discuss this issue and an exemption might be given if Ganesh Mandals give an undertaking that these items will be later handed over to the municipal corporation for disposal, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)