The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the Delhi government if any study or comprehensive research was carried out before banning the manufacture and use of plastic bags in the city. A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked the government counsel to apprise it by the next date of hearing as to how the authorities could impose a total ban on the manufacture of plastic bags.

"Unless you say the plastic manufacturing industry is hazardous, how can you ban the manufacturing of plastic bags?" the court said.

"What is the study you have done before imposing the ban?" the court said, and asked the counsel to place its reply before it on December 11, the next date of hearing.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by All India Plastic Industries Association challenging the Delhi government's October 23 notification imposing a blanket ban on plastic bags.

The bench asked: "Can you impose a total ban? What will be the effect on the manufacturing industry if you ban it?" adding, "unless licences of these manufacturers are cancelled, how can they be banned from manufacturing plastic carry bags?" The court said when plastic plates, bottles and spoons are allowed, why ban only carry bags.