Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
plastic

Environmental degradation is one of the most pressing concerns in the world. It has started affecting the life of several people globally. India with its other environmental initiatives has also started policies to ban plastic. Already 15 states have a complete plastic ban and the recent addition to it was Maharashtra. Mumbai already has the ban implemented and the rest of Maharashtra is yet to follow it. On March 23, the Maharashtra government had issued a notification, imposing a ban on the manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic material.

On 21st of June, the law panel of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rejected the civic body’s demand to reduce the minimum fine proposed for violating plastic ban from Rs 5000 to Rs 200. With the rejection, people carrying banned plastic items will be fined from Rs 5000 to Rs 25,000.

Items excluded from the ban

* Plastic used for packaging medicines and drugs
* Food grade virgin plastic used for packaging milk
* Compostable packaging bags used for horticulture and agriculture purposes
* Plastic bags used for exporting goods
* Plastic used at the manufacturing stage
* Plastic used for handling of solid waste

This sudden change has also affected the general people who is finding it hard to shop for their daily necessities. The sudden shift from plastic has led to a crisis on how they will juggle their day to day activities without plastic. While there are reports of giving enough relaxation period for the people to cope. However, the Devendra- Fandavis government strongly condemned the use of plastic imposing the ban with an iron hand.

There is also criticism from the plastic industry against the step undertaken by 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.

Officials from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and district and local administration have been authorized to implement it. For regulating this law at tourist locations, tourism police, or Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has been made responsible. The government has also formed an association comprising of plastic manufacturers, ministry officials and environmental experts to oversee the implementation of the ban.

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