Mr Deshmukh said the ban had been prompted by the indiscriminate use of plastic bags, which blocked sewage and drainage systems during record monsoon rains. Flooding and landslides killed more than 1,000 people in the state.
The ban is to take effect on September 24. Until then, residents of the state could file objections and suggestions, he said.
Other Indian states have already banned use of thin plastic bags used by shoppers.
Last month some prominent Mumbai residents, including movie producers, sued the state government for responding slowly to the crisis created by floods that paralysed India's financial and entertainment capital. Residents blame haphazard planning, bad drainage and poor roads for the flooding and landslides.
So it ain't just us, folks....
3 comments:
Bangladesh banned plastic bags outright in 2002.
Dear Mr. Turton,
I apreciate your keen interest in this subject and as you wrote Mumbai becomes the latest locality. But do you knwo that, as of today, there are plastic bags, even under 20 micron, easily and widely available? Every single vegetable vendor has stacks of them. Still it used to pollute the envcironment. There is no change at all. Except a bohemian law. It's utterly impractical without a suitable alternative. I too lauded such a move in my blog, but later realized the difficulties.
Plastic bags are a problem, but have you ever noticed the same stores that charge for bags also won't let you bring in a backpack or folding shopping cart?
Cripes, I've seen places that won't let you bring in a crocheted bag....
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