New Delhi, Sep 11: After imposing a ban on gutkha and pan masala, the Delhi government is making an effort to make plastic bags history in Delhi.
This time the proposed blanket ban comes with zero tolerance to even plastic used to cover school books, magazines and invitation cards. This process is again being initiated after one failed attempt in 2009.
The government has one year to implement the ban from the time the notification is issued.
The plastic material used to manufacture bags of all sizes, colours and weight will be banned. For the first time the government has decided to crack down on manufacturing as well to tackle the problem at the roots.
The government proposal says that plastic carry bags are disposed off in an irresponsible manner and have a detrimental effect on the environment.
The ambitious proposal lays down that no person shall manufacture, import, store, sell or transport any kind of plastic bag in the area that makes up the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
It stipulates that no person, including a shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader and hawker, shall sell or store or use any kind of plastic carry bag for storing or dispensing eatables or non-eatable goods or materials.
The proposed ban, however, makes one exception. It will allow use of plastic bags as specified under the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998.
