Lok Sabha Question No. 2333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-04
Subject: Ban on Polythene
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

OIH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2333**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2015

**Ban on Polythene**

2333. 	 SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the Government has imposed a ban on use of polythene bags in the country 	and if so, the details thereof;

(b)	whether the Government is running any awareness campaign in this regard and if so, 	the details thereof;

(c) 	whether the Government has fixed any norms for manufacturing polythene and if so, 	the details thereof;

(d) 	the penal provisions in case of violation of the said norms; and

(e) 	the number of cases wherein action has been taken for violation of the said norms?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

1. to (c) The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 prohibit manufacture, sale, stocking and use of plastic carry bags of less than 40 micron in thickness in the entire Country. The States of Sikkim, Nagaland, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Rajasthan, J&K and Delhi and the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh have banned use of plastic carry bags. Ministry has published draft Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2015 inviting public comments and suggestions. These rules aim to expand the jurisdiction of applicability; to increase the minimum thickness of poly bags to 50 microns; to bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators both; strengthen the role of the local govt., industrial units and others in effective management of plastic waste. The Ministry has made provisions for financial assistance for creating awareness and training on waste management including Plastic waste.

4. & (e) Violation of the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 attracts penal provision under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which is imprisonment for a term up to five years with a fine of one lakh rupees or both.  In case the violation continues, an additional fine of five thousand rupees for every day after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention shall be imposed. Detail of action taken on violating these Rules is enclosed at Annexure.

*******

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (d) & (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2333 FOR 04.08.2015 BY SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI REGARDING BAN ON POLYTHENE:

**Number of Individuals / Companies / Distributors and other entities penalised for violation of Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.**

| **S. No.**   | **State**        | **Number**                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|--------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|              | Chandigarh       | One industry penalised for manufacturing plastic carry bags.                                                                                                                                                         |
|              | Delhi            | 258 complaints against individuals/ companies lodged.                                                                                                                                                                |
|              | Gujarat          | 1200 industries issued show cause notices.  176 industries issued Notices under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.  230 industries were issued Directions under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.                 |
|              | Haryana          | 739 penalised                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|              | Himachal Pradesh | 500 individuals/companies/distributors challaned (fined) since 2008-09.                                                                                                                                              |
|              | Jammu & Kashmir  | 128 manufacturing units of polythene carry bags in the State closed down. Prohibited material seized from distributors in huge quantities. Penalties imposed on people indulging in trading of polythene carry bags. |
|              | Karnataka        | 2777 violation were reported and penalised.                                                                                                                                                                          |
|              | Kerala           | Has not identified any industry manufacturing plastic carry bag of less than 40 micron in thickness therefore no legal action has  been taken.                                                                       |
|              | Maharashtra      | Action initiated against 54 defaulting manufacturers and recovered Rs. 2,50,000/-.                                                                                                                                   |
|              | Puducherry       | Two industries closed.  One stockist godown sealed.  Penal proceedings initiated against 05 stockists.                                                                                                               |
|              | Telangana        | Penalty against 23 defaulting units for manufacturing carry bags of less than stipulated thickness.                                                                                                                  |

*********