Maharashtra government to completely ban plastic bags by next year

The ban on the plastic bags below 50 microns was imposed by the government after the 2005 deluge that claimed several lives in Mumbai and its suburbs.

Maharashtra environment minister, Ramdas Kadam, has set a target of completely banning plastic carry bags in Maharashtra from Gudhi Padwa, the traditional new year of Marathi Hindus falling in March-April, next year.

Picture for representation

The Shiv Sena minister convened a meeting to discuss the proposal in Mantralaya on Tuesday with senior bureaucrats such as environment secretary Satish Gavai and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board member secretary PN Anbalgan.

Kadam said, “We have invited proposals from various organisations to suggest alternatives to plastic bags. There is also a proposal of giving a subsidy to women self-help groups, and getting them to supply cloth bags.”

The ban on the plastic bags below 50 microns was imposed by the government after the 2005 deluge that claimed several lives in Mumbai and its suburbs.

The minister plans to hold meetings with all municipal corporations across the state to discuss the ban on plastic carry bags.

“We will publicise the initiative through All India Radio, FM radio stations and Doordarshan,” the environment minister said.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had recently called for a ban on plastic entirely after the recent August 29 torrential rain and flooding that brought Mumbai to a standstill.