No proposal to ban use of plastic bags altogether: minister

There is no proposal to ban use of plastic in bags by the Central government, though some State Governments have restricted or banned the use of plastic carry bags throughout the State or in ecologically sensitive  or tourist places, informed Minister of State for Environment and Forests  Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The ministry has also banned sachets using plastic material for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. Further, plastic material, in any form, shall not be used in any package for packing gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms.

State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees are responsible for enforcement of provisions related to registration, manufacture and recycling and the municipal authorities are responsible for enforcement of provisions related to use, collection, segregation, transportation and disposal of plastic waste.

This ministry has written to the State Governments to review the enforcement of these rules and take necessary action for putting in place the required implementation and monitoring arrangements for this purpose, the minister said.