Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Delhi government has finally imposed a complete ban on the use of plastic bags in the Capital.
A gazette notification is expected to be published early next week.
The environment department says the gazette notification will be pre-dated and hence the ban is effectively already in place.
Meanwhile, hawkers and shopkeepers have already started complaining as there isn't any alternative suggested by the government. Restaurants bank heavily on packing semi-liquid stuff which cannot be carried in cloth or jute bags.
Biodegradable bags are extremely expensive as they have to be imported.
But those who will be found carrying groceries or vegetables from the market in plastic bags or using them to dispose of your garbage, also run the risk of a jail term or fine, or both.
The ban brought into effect from Saturday covers all shopping areas and big eating joints, hotels and hospitals.
The notification says nothing about the earlier rider that bags with thickness of 40 microns and more will be allowed.
Since it's difficult to measure the thickness on the spot, the government wants to discourage the use of bags completely and hence the complete ban.
Since the gazette notification is yet to be published (it's expected early next week), the ban is yet to sink in.
The environment department says the gazette notification will be pre-dated and hence the ban is effectively already in place.
Delhi government officials say they intend giving time to Delhiites to "settle into the situation" and make alternative arrangements before they begin taking action.
Violators will face action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. They will face imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Those using plastic bags while shopping for vegetables for example, will be in contempt of court and should therefore start using other material, warn environmentalists and government officials.
The ban follows a Delhi High Court order based on the Chopra Committee report. As per section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, the complaint against a violater has to be made by the government or by a private person who has given a 60-day notice to the government.
The Delhi government, however, is yet to spell out how it intends to prosecute offenders.
The government says there are plenty of options and there is an urgent need to change the mindset of people.
Government wants to encourage the use of cloth, jute, paper recycling and other inexpensive and environment friendly methods, as much as possible.
The current drive is an effort to wean people off plastics which are environmental disasters and have been around for too long.
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