New Delhi: Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam has announced a ban on all kinds of plastic carry bags immediately after Gudi Padwa, a spring-time festival that marks the traditional New Year for Marathi Hindus. Post March-April next year only eco-friendly bags as an alternative to plastic ones can be used in the markets. Various organisations have been asked to come up with proposals on alternatives to plastic bags, said Mr Kadam after chairing a meeting in the state secretariat on September 12.
“After Gudi Padwa, plastic carry bags will be banned in entire state,” the Minister tweeted:
संपूर्ण राज्यात गुढी पाडव्यानंतर प्लॅस्टिकच्या कॅरीबॅगवर बंदी आणणार @MahaDGIPR
— Ramdas Kadam – रामदास कदम (@iramdaskadam) September 12, 2017
The Minister further said, Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be looped in to eradicate usage of plastic bags in the state. The SHGs, along with contract of cloth bags, will be given grants.
The decision to ban plastic bags comes at a time when the plastic bags or polythenes are partly being blamed for choking Mumbai’s storm-water drains and being the main cause for litter. During the recent floods caused by excessive rains, huge volumes of plastic carry bags were floating in the knee-deep waters, which further worsened the situation for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). “To remove the muck we used shovels, however when it came to plastics we had no option but manually pull the plastic bags stuck underwater. It took us a lot of time to remove the plastic waste and yet we weren’t able to clear them completely,” says Sunil Gaikwade, BMC worker.
Following the National Green Tribunal’s plea on banning plastic bags, especially the ones below 50 microns, many states including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur have not only prohibited the use of plastic bags but also imposed strict penalties (for instance fine upto Rs 5,000) on anyone found using, selling, purchasing plastic carry bags. Maharashtra, being one the largest states of India is gearing up to set an example with this ban that comes into effect next year.
As soon as the government announced the decision to ban plastic bags, many citizens welcomed the decision. Here are some of the reactions:
Sounds Good: Aaditya Thackeray On Plastic Bag Ban
Aaditya Thackeray, the President of Yuva Sena who was instrumental in pushing the government’s decision had been in talks with the state environment minister and the mayor for quite some time. Expressing his happiness over the decision he tweeted:
The update from him sounds good. The ministry is keen on banning plastic in the State. ☺️and there is a timeline on the same.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) September 12, 2017
Env Min @iramdaskadam ji has told me that his meeting with the officials has decided to ban plastic bags and cups frm next day of Gudi Padwa
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) September 12, 2017
Much Awaited Decision, Says A ‘Thrilled’ Juhi Chawla
Thrilled !!! plastic bag ban across Maharashtra !! Congratulations Shri Kadam on this much awaited , important decision ! !! ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) September 13, 2017
So happy to hear this , Congratulations @MahaDGIPR plastic bag ban across #Maharashtra, such an important decision for a better world ????
— Nila Madhab PANDA ନୀଳମାଧବ ପଣ୍ଡା (@nilamadhabpanda) September 13, 2017
Complete #PlasticBan post Gudi Padwa in #Maharashtra. If implemented & followed will help our environment #GoGreen #SustainableDevelopment
— आशिष केलो (@ashishkelo) September 13, 2017
We applaud Complete Ban on Plastic Carry Bags from Gudi Padva in Maharashtra. Also focus on Recycling Plastic water bottles, major menace.
— Dr. Leo Rebello (@DrLeoRebello) September 13, 2017
Ban on #plasticbag in maharashtra is a good initiative of govt to check #environmental_degredation. @Deepesh84829713 @RahulPophale
— Ravindra Chavan (@RavindraChava19) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/yashpat1997/status/907823032936402944
Thrilled !!! plastic bag ban across Maharashtra !! Congratulations @Dev_Fadnavis , important decision ! !! ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— LAXMIKANT JAIN (@saver_jain) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/vigneshbamne/status/907824465656074240
Also Read: Say No To Plastic: Here Are 5 Simple Ways To Cut Down Plastic Usage
