Prepare a news report based on the following headline :
Stiff penalty for use of plastic bags
Answers
Stiff penalty for use plastic bags.
On March 23, the Maharashtra government had issued a notification, imposing a ban on the manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials like one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and also thermocol items. The government decided against plastic to check the damage caused to the environment.
The government has now imposed the ban as per provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, under which violators could face imprisonment up to five years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or both.
"The ban on plastic bags will come into effect tomorrow. All the concerned agencies have been told to ensure implementation of the ban," Delhi chief secretary PK Tripathi said on Thursday.
Environment department officials said the use of plastic cover or pouch to pack magazines, invitation cards and greeting cards will also be prohibited. They said initially government will only focus on plastic carry bags and will not target packaged food and materials.
As per the notification, no person including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers and hawkers will be allowed to sell, store or use plastic carry bags for supply of any goods.
Plastic carry bags for use, as specified under the BioMedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, will not be covered under the ban. The Delhi Government had last month ordered traders involved in production of plastic bags to dismantle their manufacturing facilities by the deadline.