In a major setback to lakhs of plastic manufacturers, the Bombay High Court refused to stay the ban imposed by the Maharashtra government on use or sale of one time use plastic products. This is a welcome move as the government is trying hard to get rid of plastic in an effort to reduce drainage blocks during the monsoon season and by preventing plastic at every level, we can pave way for easy flow of water and thus giving reprieve instead of endangering the lives of people during heavy rains and water logging in streets. The HC, however batted for the citizens and accordingly directed the government to ensure no action is taken against citizen and there is no need of subjecting them to criminal prosecution if found in possession of banned plastic item. The position is so typical now.
On one hand, the government is faced with a serious issue of creation of nearly 1200 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily in the State and on the other hand, the government has to consider the impact of its decision on the manufacturers. Plastic manufacturers are in a total fix and the people are confused about the usage of plastic in public.
Jayanthy S. Maniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
