The Delhi government on Monday decided to impose a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage and use of plastic bags in the city. The Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit took the decision and directed all the concerned authorities like MCD, NDMC and Environment Department to implement the decision.
Officials said there were hundreds of units manufacturing plastic bags and they would be closed down after a notification is issued.
“We have decided to impose a blanket ban on manufacturing, storage and use of plastic bags in the capital,” Dikshit told reporters.
Earlier following a court order, the city government in 2009 had banned use of plastic bags in the city but the ban was not effective as the manufacturing units were functioning.
The Delhi government had in January 2009 imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags in various markets, shopping malls, hotels and hospitals but it has not been very effective. About 250 traders have been fined in the last two years for violating the ban.
Various environmental NGOs have been pressing for shutting down such units
