Case filed challenging Maharashtra Government's plastic ban decision
What's the story
Decision to ban plastics by BJP-led Maharashtra Government may face hassles as Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturer's Association (MPMA) has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the ban.
They argued that the government was to ask all the parties involved for suggestions before implementing the ban, which it did not do.
Rather, a notification about the ban was issued on March 23.
HC orders
HC has asked State to file reply by April 10
This is the third petition against the ban, with MPMA filing its second in a month. The other petitioner too said that a blanket ban without proper rules cannot be imposed.
Under section 4(1) of the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Act, 2006, the government can ban plastics only for consumers, they said.
HC has asked the state to file its reply by April 10.
Flaws in ban
Ban on recyclable polypropylene bags but not laminated multi-layered ones
The plastic ban by Maharashtra is interesting.
Its main intention is to safeguard the environment but it has not banned those plastics that cannot be recycled.
Plastics made of laminated multi-layered packaging used for packing food items like snacks, wafers, shampoo sachets, supari and other tobacco products cannot be recycled.
Rather recyclable polypropylene bags, used for packing liquids and food grains have been banned.
Quote
'State kept out non-recyclable multi-layered packaging facing MNC heat'
"They had initially said that all plastics would be banned, but facing heat from MNCs which sell packaged drinking water and cold drinks, the state kept out (non-recyclable) multi-layered packaging. Will these not harm the environment?" asked Neemit Punamiya, general secretary, PBMAI.